Wearing slippers, shorts puts airport exec in trouble

CEBU, Philippines — An airport official is facing an administrative complaint before the Office of the President for wearing slippers, shorts and t-shirt in the office.

Engr. Manuelito Nosdo, manager of the Mechanical Division of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, has asked President Rodrigo Duterte to investigate Engr. Achilles Ponce, officer-in-charge of the Engineering Department of Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority.

“It is very disheartening for the honest and hardworking MCIAA employees to see the improper practice that Engr. Ponce has been doing,” Nosdo said.

He alleged that Ponce has been seen by many employees at the General Aviation Office logging in early for his work wearing slippers, shorts, and t-shirt several times, sometimes even daily.

Nosdo further alleged that after logging in, Ponce would go home and reports back to the office late. He said the practice is very unbecoming of a top government official.

“In this regard, we would like to file administrative offenses of dishonesty, grave misconduct and violation of RA 6713 against Engr. Ponce to give equal justice to employees who are doing their honest work for the government,” reads the complaint letter.

Copies of the letter dated February 28, 2018 were also sent to Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Paul Elmer Clemente, Civil Service Commission, National Bureau of Investigation, MCIAA Board of Directors and Airport General Manager Steve Dicdican.

Ponce refused to comment on the complaint, saying he has yet to receive a copy.

Last February, anti-graft crusader Crisologo Saavedra Jr. also asked the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to investigate Ponce over the alleged ill-gotten wealth.

Saavedra alleged that Ponce committed dishonesty and grave misconduct for not properly declaring his assets, amassing properties, and having multiple families and children with a monthly salary of about P40,000 per month.

Ponce, however, challenged Saavedra to prove that he owns the alleged P10 million worth of house and lot in Pinamungajan, saying that the house and lot cited by Saavedra belongs to his girlfriend.

Ponce also denied any irregularities in the performance of his job, saying he owns ASAP Engineering Services, which he established in 2004 and could afford him a modest life apart from his monthly salary as a licensed engineer. —Mia Jirah Tac-an, SWU intern (FREEMAN)