PBBM: Antiporda suspension may resolve NIA ‘conflict’

The suspension of National Irrigation Administration Acting Administrator Benny Antiporda could lead to resolving the internal conflict in the agency, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said, as he gave the assurance that Antiporda's suspension would not interrupt NIA operations, especially its food security program.

"The function of the NIA is — does not — is not going to change. In fact, I suppose, it is like — if there was that conflict inside the agency, baka ngayon na nawala 'yan, baka mas gumanda pa ang takbo," Marcos told reporters in a chance interview following an event in Pasay City.

Marcos said he wants to comprehend what happened to Antiporda that led to his six-month suspension.

"We have to find out what happened to Benny, see what really is the situation there, why Ombudsman Martires suspended him. It all happened when I was away, so I've asked them to give me the background on what happened."

On 15 November, Ombudsman Samuel Martires ordered the suspension of Antiporda for alleged grave misconduct, harassment, oppression, ignorance of the law, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

He was accused of maligning employees, misleading the President, and bullying subordinates, among others.

Named complainants were the officers and members of the NIA Employees Association or NIAEASP, including Lloyd Allain Cudal and Michelle Gonzales Raymundo.

In a phone call to reporters, Antiporda claimed that the complaints were simply a smear campaign against him by disgruntled employees affected by the "cleansing process" he initiated in the agency.

"Walang conflict sa NIA. Ang complainant isang tao lang… isang hindi konektado sa NIA at isang kinasuhan ko ng P206 million sa Ombudsman. Parehong may kaso yan. May complainant daw na walang pangalan, 'yung mga anonymous na 'yan most probably kasama sa mga na-relieve sa cleansing process," he said.