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Thursday, January 27, 2005
Espinoza: Byron is no high and mighty
By Elias L. Espinoza
Security. Aside from the aging x-ray machines at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), it seems the management has another problem to address.
A reader, who asked not to be named, called me the other day when this corner discussed about the safety of airline passengers, aircrafts and airports over the threat of terrorism.
He said the airport has hired some private security guards who were allegedly not trained to secure airports based on Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) standards.
Worse, he said, there was allegedly no bidding conducted before the security agency was hired by the MCIAA.
As to how the MCIAA hired the services of a security agency without conducting a bidding, which is required under government rules, is something the Department of Transportation and Communication Secretary Larry Mendoza should look into.
However, knowing the character of good friend Bobit Avila, who is a member of the MCIAA board, I can’t simply imagine that the hiring was allowed without Bobit noticing it.
When the airport management closed the parking lot beside the terminal building for safety reasons, many motorists complained. The complaint probably prompted the management to allow motor vehicles to park in front of the terminal while waiting for the arrival of airline passengers.
The caller said this may be convenient for the motorists waiting for their passengers to arrive, but it is certainly not within FAA’s security standards.
Airport police division manager, retired Brig. Gen. Rodante Joya, who is so concerned with the security of the airport and the passengers, should look into this report.
EARLY. It is too early for the brother of Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia to be mired into controversies.
Byron Garcia, the governor’s brother and security consultant, is now being investigated after he allegedly defied a court order and harassed a sheriff.
Byron’s defiance of a lawful court order amounts to mockery of the judiciary.
If my memory serves me right, this is perhaps the first incident wherein a valid court order was disobeyed by a provincial consultant.
This could be the reason the regional trial court judges came up with a manifesto to remind the high and mighty in public office that they are not above the law.
However, with all due respect to the honorable judges, the manifesto, which was carefully and beautifully worded, was unnecessary. The court, with its immense authority, could have immediately ordered Byron to explain his defiance of the court order, otherwise he should be cited for contempt.
He may be the brother of the Cebu governor, but Byron is not over and above anyone. Just like Juan de la Cruz, he is bound to abide by and obey the laws and legal orders from duly constituted authorities, which include the courts.
(January 27, 2005 issue)
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