The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has appointed a political supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte as acting president and chief executive officer of the Clark International Airport Corporation, (CIAC) after the state-firm’s top executive Emigdio Tanjuatco, an appointee of former President Benigno Aquino, resigned.
In a telephone interview, Tanjuatco said he submitted late last week his resignation “effective immediately” to Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade who, during the term of former Pres. Aquino, served as head of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) also based in the Clark Freeport.
“I wanted Sec. Tugade to be given a freer hand in choosing somebody to head CIAC within the parameters of Malacanang. I just don’t want to be a bother to anyone,” said Tanjuatco who did not report to work starting last Monday.
During the launching of a free wifi project of Smart at the Clark International Airport Monday afternoon, Tanjuatco’s absence was noted. Cauguiran, however, was present, although no announcement of his appointment to the top CIAC post was announced.
Cauguiran, a former councilor of Angeles City, had served as CIAC executive vice president during the term of former President Gloria Arroyo. During the Aquino administration, he served as a major adviser to Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan.
In the last presidential elections, Pamintuan and Cauguiran were among the first ranking local officials to openly declare support for the presidential bid of Duterte.
Tanjuatco expressed his gratitude to various sectors who, he noted, had helped him during his term as CIAC president.
“I did the best I could and I really came to like what I was doing. I will never forget my stint here,” said Tanjuatco, who belongs to a well-known political clan in Rizal province.
–Ding Cervantes