Santiago reappointed ports chief

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has reappointed lawyer Jay Daniel Santiago as General Manager of the Philippine Ports Authority.

Santiago, who also served as PPA head during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, received his appointment papers on Monday, 24 October. He will replace PPA officer-in-charge general manager Francisquiel Mancile.

"I thank our President, PBBM, for his trust and confidence in entrusting the management of the Philippine Ports Authority to us once again. I am deeply humbled," Santiago said in a press statement on Tuesday.

"We commit to his Excellency our unrelenting effort and determination to improve and bring our ports to even greater heights, both in terms of services and infrastructure, with special focus on his mandate for digitalization of port operations and management for greater port efficiency, more reasonable logistics cost, and enhanced comfort and safety for our countrymen," he added.

Santiago was the former general counsel of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation before he was appointed head of the ports authority.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities from the University of the Philippines and obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the same institution.

Before heading the PPA during Duterte's time, Santiago also served as the senior and managing partner of Feria Tantoco Robeniol Santiago, specializing in corporate and commercial law.

Particularly, he focused on banking and finance, securities regulation, telecommunications and new technologies, tax, immigration, and general business advisory.

Established in 1974 by Presidential Decree No. 505, the PPA is the primary government agency responsible for the planning, development, and operation of the country's ports or port districts.