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MANILA – The general manager of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), Steve Dicdican, was suspended Wednesday by the Ombudsman, Samuel Martires, on charges that the official allowed foreign nationals to manage the public facilities.
In response to an administrative complaint filed by the National Investigations Office (NBI), Martires ordered the suspension of Dicdican to prevent it from unduly influencing the ongoing investigation.
Dicdican faces complaints for gross misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and conduct detrimental to the best interest of the service.
The administrative complaint, filed by the head of NBI’s Anti-Fraud Division, Palmer Mallari, was based on evidence presented by private whistleblower Larry Iguidez.
The complaint noted that Dicdican consented to, permitted, and collaborated with foreign nationals to manage and operate the airport, which is a public service that can only be managed and controlled by Filipino citizens.
The NBI said that in April 2014, the then Department of Transportation and Communications and the MCIAA awarded a P14.4 billion 25-year concession contract to GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC), a consortium between Megawide Construction Corporation. and GMR. Group.
GMCAC CEO Andrew Acquaah-Harrison and other senior company officials who are foreigners reportedly performed managerial and executive functions such as managing business affairs, developing corporate policy, and implementing operational policies.
The NBI added that instead of reporting wrongdoing to the MCIAA Board, Dicdican allegedly “turned a blind eye” and “knowingly assisted, assisted and / or instigated these foreign GMCAC officials / employees in the perpetration of the acts penalized by the Anti-Dummy Law. “
Martires stressed that considering Dicdican’s influential position as general manager of the airport, his suspension is justified.
The Ombudsman has charged Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade with immediately enforcing Dicdican’s suspension.
Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, Samuel Martires, MCIAA, Steve Dicdican
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