Romualdez wonders if someone is trying to ‘sabotage’ DOTr chief Bautista

House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left), DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista (Speaker’s office, Facebook)

Is somebody trying to “sabotage” or sully Jaime Bautista’s tenure as Department of Transportation (DOTr) secretary?

House Speaker Martin Romualdez floated this possibility late Monday afternoon, Sept 25 as he recalled the “nasty things” that have occurred within the past year at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Bautista, Romualdez said, ought to “closely watch his own backyard”.

“Every now and then, we hear of nefarious activities, aviation glitches, power equipment malfunctions and disruptions, and similar nasty things taking place at the airport. There may be people sabotaging him,” the Leyte 1st district representative said.

In the same statement, the House leader advised Office of Transport Security (OTS) Administrator Mao Aplasca to resign immediately in light of the embarrassing, successive shenanigans of OTS personnel.

OTS workers man the scanners at NAIA, which is the country’s main gateway.

The Speaker pointed out that a foreigner–be it a tourist or a potential investor–gets his or her first exposure to the Philippines and its people when he or she meets a government employee during entry processing.

“An ugly incident will certainly leave a discouraging and lasting impression. This is the reason why we should deploy the finest personnel at ports of entry,” said Romualdez, Leyte’s 1st district congressman.

Grabbing headlines recently was a female OTS security scanner who stole–and then swallowed—$300 worth of bills from a departing foreign passenger. The female worker was caught on tape casually chugging the cash down with water.

Earlier this year, Romualdez suggested that the DOTr revamp the entire OTS workforce and rehire only those who would pass a strict vetting process based on their honesty, efficiency, and integrity.

The OTS and DOTr officials had committed to undertake sweeping reforms. “What have happened to those commitments? Where are the reforms?” the Speaker asked.

At least two major blackouts have disrupted operations at NAIA this year, causing the cancelation or delay of hundreds of flights.

These took place on Jan. 1, 2023, New Year’s Day; and on May 1, 2023, Labor Day. Both fell on holidays and long weekend, when heavy volume of travelers were expected. — Ellson Quismorio