CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Port Authority has a new general manager effective yesterday.
Angelo Verdan has assumed the post, according to lawyer Yusop “Ping” Uckung, CPA legal manager.
“We received memo from him today (yesterday) that he is assuming as commissioner and GM replacing Tan,” said Uckung yesterday.
Edmund Tan, the former CPA general manager, said he will not be an obstructionist.
“I will not be an obstruction. I will give way. No problem to me on that,” said Tan later in the afternoon when asked for his comment about Verdan’s memo, adding, “Yes, that’s what he told me.”
Earlier in the day, Tan said he will not vacate his post until the CPA commissioners will elect a new general manager.
“Tan is already replaced as Commissioner and his being a GM/Vice Chairman of the Cebu Port Commission is dependent on his being a Commissioner. The spring cannot rise above its source,” Uckung said.
Uckung said that Verdan already has an appointment as commissioner by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Uckung added that Tan has no more bases to act as general manager in view of Verdan’s appointment and the former was on holdover capacity until replaced.
Citing the CPA Charter though, Uckung said that the CPA general manager should be elected by and among the commissioners.
“But the Department of Transportation has the authority to designate a commissioner to act as general manager in the meantime, which is why there is a designation for Verdan as general manager,” Uckung further said.
Verdan was also former CPA general manager and former general manager of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. (FREEMAN)