Confusion swirled over the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on Thursday as Cesar Chiong was still working as general manager of the agency despite the Palace announcing Wednesday the appointment of lawyer Jose Arturo Maddela Tugade to replace him.
As of 1 p.m. Thursday, Chiong was in his office at the MIAA administration building in Pasay City doing his job as the top airport authority official.
As of press time, Malacañang has yet to release Tugade’s appointment paper after naming him as GM and chief executive officer of MIAA. He is the youngest son of former Transportation Secretary Arturo Tugade.
“He (Chiong) is still working here in the office at this very moment.
He can vacate the office anytime once the general manager’s office officially received the appointment paper of the new GM,” an MIAA information officer, who asked he not be named, told Manila Standard.
Chiong, a 33-year veteran of the aviation industry, took over as GM of the airport authority—which supervises the overall operations of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the county’s premier international gateway—just last August 1.
In July, the reported appointment of Leoncio Nakpil replacing then-MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal caused confusion, as airport personnel demanded clarifications from government officials.
Palace officials made the announcement a few days later, saying Chiong was the one appointed to the top post in MIAA.