Speaker Romualdez demands OTS chief Aplasca’s resignation

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday demanded the resignation of the Office of Transport Security (OTS) Administrator, Undersecretary Ma. O Aplasca, for failing to put an end to the repeated nefarious activities of security screening officers (SSO) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The OTS chief was advised by Speaker Romualdez to tender his resignation before the House of Representatives tackles the OTS' budget.

"Mag-resign ka na. Kung hindi ka magsa-submit ng resignation, ako mismo ang magba-block ng approval ng budget ng OTS," Romualdez said.

The House leader aired his frustration on Aplasca in the wake of reports of the latest incidence of money theft by a female OTS security scanner from a departing tourist. The OTS chief should submit his courtesy resignation under the principle of command responsibility to make way for a full revamp at the airport security office.

"Naka-strike three na ang OTS chief. We are already fed up with these reports of stealing and other acts of wrongdoing at the airport for which OTS officials and their DOTr supervisors are ultimately responsible. A top-to-bottom overhaul is needed," he added.

"We cannot let these atrocious activities and other acts of misconduct at the airport continue to take place. It's bad for the country and the economy," Romualdez also stated.

The Speaker pointed out that a foreigner, whether they are a tourist or a potential investor, gets their first exposure to the Philippines and its people when they encounter a government employee who processes them at the port of entry. This is an ugly incident that will certainly leave a discouraging and lasting impression. This is the reason why the government should deploy the finest personnel at ports of entry.

It could be recalled that in March, when money was stolen by the SSO from a Thai tourist at NAIA Terminal 2, the leader of the 311-member House of Representatives recommended a complete revamp of OTS.

Romualdez even recommended that the DOTr replace the entire OTS staff and only rehire individuals who would pass a rigorous screening procedure based on their honesty, effectiveness, and integrity.

OTS and responsible DOTr officials committed to undertaking sweeping reforms.

"What has happened to those commitments? Where are the reforms?" Speaker Romualdez asked.

The Speaker also said that DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista should closely watch his own backyard. Every now and then, they still hear of nefarious activities, aviation glitches, power equipment malfunctions and disruptions, and similar nasty things taking place at the airport. There may be people sabotaging him, Romualdez added.