Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa yesterday suggested renaming Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) back to Manila International Airport (MIA).
“I don’t want this facility to be dragged into a…tug of war between Aquino and Marcos,” said Dela Rosa said in an interview with CNN Philippines.
Earlier, incoming Senate President Migz Zubiri said renaming NAIA after the late Ferdinand Marcos, the President’s father and namesake would trigger a fight between the “yellows” and “reds.”
Dela Rosa also said that instead of passing a law to name the airport after the President’s father, it should be renamed “MIA.”
He said this airport should be spared from the political row between the Aquinos and the Marcoses.
“To be fair about it, to be neutral about it, let us rename it to Manila International Airport. We should not name it after Marcos or Aquino. To get rid of politics, let us bring back its original name-Manila International Airport to put an end to this talk,” he said.
Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. filed a bill which seeks to rename NAIA after the President’s father.
Teves said it is more appropriate to name NAIA to Ferdinand E. Marcos Jr. following his contributions to the idea and execution of the said project.
For her part, Senator Risa Hontiveros said no need to change the name of NAIA, saying explaining that it was named after opposition leader, former Senator Benigno “Ninoy “ Aquino to remind Filipinos of the People Power Revolution.
It was named after the late senator who was assassinated in the airport when he returned to the country on August 21, 1983.
