Friday, August 01, 2008 Naia-3 task force chief quits
NINOY Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3 Presidential Task Force head Michael Defensor has resigned following the partial opening of the controversial facility last month.
Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said Defensor is expected to talk about his resignation in a press conference in Malacañang Friday.
Asked if Defensor's reported brawl with Manila International Airport Authority officials was a factor for his quitting, Dureza simply said "he will announce with you in a press conference."
Defensor was earlier named by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to head the Naia-3 task force to oversee the preparations for the opening and eventual operation of the terminal.
The Naia-3 started a dry run for the domestic operations on July 22 via a Manila-Caticlan flight of Cebu Pacific.
The airport is being prepared for a dry run of a Cebu Pacific flight outside the country in two to three months time.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) Express and Air Philippines started using the Naia-3 for its domestic operations on July 24.
Defensor, a defeated Team Unity senatorial bet, was the former presidential chief of staff.
He was a congressman of Quezon City when he was first tapped by Arroyo to head the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC). (JMR/Sunnex)
