Non-government organizations and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) workers called on Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and members of Congress to investigate the ₱1.5-trillion NAIA rehabilitation and modernization deal between the government and San Miguel Corporation’s New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC).
In a press conference in Pasay on Tuesday, October 21, labor lawyer and co-convenor of the workers' coalition PUSO ng NAIA Luke Espiritu, described the public-private partnership as a "greater plunder" for the Filipino people, according to RH Jecelle Ricafort's report.
"Diba Bongbong Marcos, ikaw ay naki-criticize ngayon dahil 'yung iniimbestigahan mo lang 'yung mga kalaban mo sa politika. Gusto niyong imbestigahan si Bong Go, CIDG. Okay lang 'yan, imbestigahan niyo ang mga Duterte pero kung gusto mong sagutin ang mga kritiko mo na nililimitahan mo lang imbestigasyon sa kalaban mo sa politika, ito Ramon Ang," Espiritu said.
Espiritu added that the administration should not limit corruption probes to political adversaries if it wants to show impartiality.
He urged President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to conduct investigation San Miguel Corporation (SMC) president and CEO Ramon Ang over alleged anomalies in NAIA privatization.
"Kung gusto mong magkaroon ng papogi points mag-sacrificial lamb ka ng isa, ikaw ay walang sacrificial lamb. Si Ramon Ang, imbestigahan mo na ‘yung anomalaya dito sa NAIA privatization. 'Yung anomalous contract na ito na mas matinding plunder sa mga Pilipino people," he said.
According to Espiritu, one year after the NAIA modernization deal was signed, there have been no significant improvements at the country’s main gateway, only new and excessive airport fees that burden both workers and passengers.
The group accused the NNIC and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) of violating transparency and accountability provisions in their contract due to authorities failed to hire an independent consultant, which a key requirement to ensure compliance and fair oversight of the project’s implementation.
They said that this omission exposes "a larger, more questionable infrastructure deal than the flood control scandal."
The group further warned that if left unchecked, the deal could result in a 25-year financial drain on the public, as the privatized operation could impose high airport costs favoring the private concessionaire at the expense of over 45 million air travelers annually.
