Tuesday, October 17, 2006 Gov't pursues opening of idle airport
SOLICITOR General Antonio Eduardo Nachura said that investigations on the possible money laundering activities of officials of the Philippine International Air Terminals Company (Piatco) will not adversely affect government's efforts to takeover and open the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3.
Nachura, in an ambush interview in Malacañang, said the inquiry on the bank accounts of 17 Piatco officials is part of the criminal cases already filed in the country.
Aside from money laundering, the government is also pushing for anti-dummying charges against officials of Piatco and its German stockholder, Fraport AG. Piatco has accused Malacañang of engaging in bullying tactics.
Nachura said there are no bullying tactics because the cases have long been pending with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (Amlac). "It's not. It's part of the process and government's effort to protect government interests," he said.
He also said the suit filed by the Asia Emerging Dragons Corp. (AEDC) before the Supreme Court (SC) against the government's expropriation of Naia 3 will not affect state's takeover bid unless the SC decides in favor of AEDC. (JMR/Sunnex)
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