DOTr commits to stronger measures to protect travelers

By Maricel V. Cruz

SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez bared

Tuesday that the Office of Transportation Security (OTS) under the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has committed to implementing stronger measures to ensure protection for tourists and travelers against abusive government personnel in all airports in the country.

Romualdez made the announcement following a meeting late

Monday afternoon at the House of Representatives with transportation officials that include DOTr Sec. Jaime Bautista, Office of Transportation Security (OTS) Ad - ministrator Usec. Ma. O Ranada Aplasca, and Manila International Airport Authority Gen. Manager Cesar Chiong. Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, also attended the meeting. To provide another layer of safeguard, Romualdez said it was also agreed during the meeting that select personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard will be assigned to accompany airport screening personnel on duty.

During the meeting, Romualdez reiterated his disappointment over recent unfortunate incidents at the airport, including one involving personnel of

Hontiveros: Suspend DA’s Panganiban

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SEN. Risa Hontiveros Monday called for the preventive suspension and investigation of Department of Agriculture (DA) Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban.

Hontiveros said she is calling the investigation of Panganiban “for his continuing help to create a powerful sugar cartel.”

She also rebuked Panganiban for extolling about the supposed cartel.

“That he is not under suspension and investigation only means one thing: his superiors see nothing wrong with him openly violating existing laws and usurping the powers and mandate of the OTS caught stealing from a Thai tourist, which he described as “embarrassing and alarming”. the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA),” Hontiveros said.

“We cannot let this embarrassing incident fester and continue to discourage tourists from visiting our very beautiful country. But the OTS has recognized that there is indeed a problem and that it needs to be addressed at the soonest possible time,” he said.

Among others, Romualdez said the OTS has proposed the use of body cameras to monitor in real-time the activities of the airport security personnel, as well as immigration officers, on duty.

The opposition senator questioned where Panganiban got the courage to say that this matter should just be ignored. “Did he have the blessings of Malacanang to tell those calling out to follow the law to just be silent?” she asked.

She also said Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, former Supreme Court Chief Justice, should explain to the entire country why Panganiban has not been subjected to any investigation. She said she also wants to know why Malacanang did not junk or overturn the questionable and illegal order of the DA.

Congress. It was Barzaga, a noted lawyer, who asked the panel to instruct Cruz to explain in writing why she should not be held in contempt for snubbing the congressional hearing.

Contempt of the Congress may be penalized by indefinite detention at the premises of the House of Representatives.

Speaker Martin G. Romualdez meanwhile welcomed the decision of the committee to cite in contempt Cruz and other