Palace to Diño: Escolango is SBMA OIC

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines – Amid a leadership row at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Malacañang asserted that lawyer Randy Escolango is officer-in-charge (OIC).

“Please be advised that the designation of Randy Escolango as officer-in-charge, office of the administrator, SBMA, has not been revoked by the Office of the President and remains in full force and effect,” the Palace said in a letter to SBMA chairman Martin Diño dated Nov. 28.

“Under Section 13 (d) of Republic Act 7227, the administrator of the SBMA shall be appointed by the President and no other,” the letter, which was signed by Menardo Guevarra Sr., deputy executive secretary of the Office of the President, read.

Guevarra was responding to Diño’s letter dated Nov. 21 informing Malacañang that he assumed the functions of SBMA administrator pursuant to RA 7227. 

Diño, a former barangay chairman in Quezon City and chairman of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, was appointed SBMA chairman on Sept. 23.

A memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea dated Oct. 19 named Escolango as OIC, replacing Roberto Garcia who tendered his irrevocable resignation.

Diño refused to recognize Escolango’s appointment and revoked the memos and orders that he issued.

Meanwhile, Escolango dismissed the criminal and administrative cases filed against him as part of the propaganda campaign after his appointment.

“Obviously the objective of the media campaign is to taint my reputation,” he said.

He cited the falsification of documents case filed by former employees of the defunct Freeport Service Corp., a subsidiary of SBMA, saying the Supreme Court had dismissed the case.

Escolango added that the president of a company whose lease agreement and business license were not renewed due to certain violations filed a disbarment case against him.