Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Senior Assistant General Manager Bryan CO will be taking the helm as officer-in-charge after its chief, Cesar Chiong, was placed under preventive suspension by the Ombudsman.
This was confirmed by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Wednesday after the special board meeting of the MIAA.
In the order dated April 28, anonymous MIAA officials complained that Chiong allegedly abuse his authority by reassigning 285 MIAA employees in "a matter of less than a year."
The anonymous also said that Chiong designated acting MIAA General Manager Irene Montalbo despite her "unsatisfactory rating in 2020."
Chiong then confirmed his suspension in a statement but noted that he is "confident" that the charges against him will be "vindicated and cleared" once he will be given a chance to present his side.
The MIAA General Manager defended that the move was made to "improve airport efficiency and the financial standing of the authority."
"The country's main airport faces extremely difficult challenges, and we have started to implement plans and programs that aim to enhance passenger experience at our country's main gateway," Chiong said.
The Office of the Ombudsman released the suspension following the power outage incident at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Labor Day, May 1.
