Not at all.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. gave this categorical answer on Tuesday, Sept. 13 when asked if he will prioritize the renaming of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Marcos was asked by TV host-vlogger Toni Gonzaga in an interview aired during his 65th birthday on AllTV channel.
“I have not actually thought about it,” he said, with a hearty laugh.
“I have no strong feelings about it,” the Chief Executive added.
But having said that, Marcos asserted that he remains open to proposals seeking to rename NAIA.
“When people want to rename the airport and if we get public support for it, yes, just go ahead. If not, then no,” he said.
The President noted the country’s airport is known around the world as the Manila International Airport (MIA).
In July, Duterte Youth Party-list Rep. Drixie Cardema filed House Bill (HB) No. 1253 renaming the NAIA back to the MIA.
READ: Bill seeking to rename NAIA into MIA filed in Congress anew
“Our nation’s capital is named Manila, therefore our country’s international gateway to the world must be known as the Manila International Airport as a sense of pride for our country’s capital and for foreigners to easily locate our main gateway, when traveling to our country and across the world. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is sought!,” the bill’s explanatory note said.
The proposal of this measure by the party-list group came after Negros Oriental Rep. Arnulfo Teves Jr. filed HB 610 seeking to rename the NAIA into the Ferdinand E. Marcos International Airport.
Teves said it is only right to name the country’s main terminal to Marcos Sr. because it was constructed during his time. The late Marcos served as president from 1965 to 1986.
“It is more appropriate to rename it to the person who has contributed to the idea and execution of the said noble project. This project was done during the time of the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.,” the bill’s explanatory note read.