Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires has ordered the prevention suspension for not more than six months without pay of Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Acting General Manager Cesar M. Chiong and Acting General Manager for Finance and Administration Irene P. Montalbo. In an order issued last April 28, Martires said his office acted on the administrative complaint for grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service filed by 285 MIAA employees who claimed they were indiscriminately reassigned. Ching was appointed acting MIAA general manager on July 19, 2022 and barely a month after assuming office, he started the reassignment of airport employees. The OMB said that “sworn statements from the reassigned employees would reveal that they were neither informed of the reason for their reassignment nor did they have pending administrative complaints.” It said “Chiong abused his authority/position when he designated Montalbo as assistant general manager for finance and administration notwithstanding her unsatisfactory rating and when he indiscriminately reassigned about 285 MIAA employees.” It also said “Montalbo cannot deny her participation in the reassignment of MIAA employees because, as the designated assistant general manager for finance and administration, it is her function to advise the general manager in the formulation and implementation of administrative matters.” “Based on the evidence on record, it appears that the evidence of guilt of the respondents (Chiong and Montalbo) are strong and the charge against them involves Grave Misconduct which may warrant their removal from the service,” it said. “Considering further that respondents’ continued stay in the office may influence potential witnesses and may prejudice the case filed against them due to their continued access to documentary evidence relative thereto, this Office exercises its power to place respondents under preventive suspension,” it also said. “Wherefore, pursuant to Section 24 of Republic Act No. 6770, Cesar M. Chiong and Irene P. Montalbo are hereby placed under preventive suspension without pay for the duration of the proceedings until the same is terminated, but not to exceed six (6) months,” it ruled. In a published statement, Chiong admitted the reassignment of the employees in his “effort to improve airport operations.” He expressed confidence that he would be vindicated and cleared of the complaint filed before the OMB. Also, he pointed out that MIAA’s finances had improved even without government subsidy since he took over, adding that “putting MIAA in good financial stead is one of my visions.” Montalbo could not be contacted as of posting. On Labor Day last May 1, an eight-hour power outage hit one of the terminals of MIAA.  The power outage stranded thousands of passengers and delayed several domestic and international flights.