New MIAA chief appointed

Malacañang on Thursday said airport operations expert Eric Jose Castro Ines is the new acting general manager and member of the board of directors of the Manila International Airport Authority.

In a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista dated 15 December, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Ines would replace former MIAA chief Cesar Chiong.

The Office of the Ombudsman dismissed Chiong and MIAA assistant general manager Irene Montalbo last August due to grave misconduct, abuse of authority, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Ines is a University of the Philippines Bachelor of Arts alumnus. He completed the Aviation Security and Airport and Airline Management course at the United Kingdom's Bailbrook College School of Aviation.

Ines had worked for Gulf Air and Etihad Airways as the airport station manager in Manila from 1 July 1997 to 31 December 2017, respectively.

From 1 January 1988 to 30 June 1997, he served as a Senior Security Officer for Gulf Air in both Manila and Southeast Asia. From 1 October 1986 to 1 December 1987, he was a Trainee for Airline Operations for the same organization.

From 1 April 1973, to 31 March 1986, Ines was also the Secretary of the Department of Local Government and Community Development's Senior Executive Assistant.

In a statement, Secretary of the Department of Transportation Jaime Bautista said, "I am pleased to transmit Mr. Eric Jose Castro Ines' appointment letter as MIAA's acting general manager and board member."

Ines is from Ilocos Norte, where he spent his time planting after his retirement.