Palace: NAIA 3 operation unaffected by CA decision

MANILA – Malacañang said Sunday there was nothing to be worried about as the operation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA 3) will continue despite a recent Court of Appeals’ decision on the airport’s ownership.

“Kaya hindi po tayo dapat maligalig ng ano mang usaping legal sapagkat patuloy ang estabilidad ng operasyon diyan. Wala namang major effect ‘yang isyu na ‘yan dahil isinasagawa ng pamahalaan ang nararapat para makapaghatid ng tamang serbisyo sa lahat ng gumagamit ng ating international airport,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

The CA Special 13th Division has ruled that the Philippine government could not exercise full ownership of the NAIA 3 unless it pays in full the P16 billion just compensation to the Philippine International Air Terminals Company Inc. (Piatco), the builder of the airport.

The CA said the Pasay court committed grave abuse of discretion after it allowed the government to deposit in escrow account the amount of $371.43 million or P16 billion and imposing conditions for its release to Piatco.

“In the case at bench, the amount of just compensation is still subject of appeal before the Supreme Court. Thus, it was wrong for the Pasay RTC to rule that the Republic may already exercise full ownership over the Terminal 3 facilities by mere deposit of just compensation to an escrow account. Such is not sanctioned by law not supported by jurisprudence,” the decision read.

The government will refer the ruling to the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel and Office of the Solicitor General, Coloma said. (SDR/Virgil Lopez/ Sunnex)