SC backs awarding of MCIA project to GMR-Megawide

CEBU, Philippines - The Supreme Court has upheld the decision of the Department of Transportation and Communications to award the Mactan-Cebu International Airport project to the GMR-Megawide consortium.

 According to a report of the Business World, in a 39-page decision dated January 13, the SC Third Division denied, for lack of merit, the petition of Senator Sergio Osmeña III to stop the awarding of the contract to GMR-Megawide consortium.

 The SC also denied for lack of legal and factual bases the separate petition by the Business for Progress Movement.

In one of the last decisions penned by retired Associate Justice Martin S. Villarama Jr., the high court held that there was no patent error or arbitrariness on the part of DOTC.

“There being no violation of any law, regulation or the bidding rules, nor any arbitrariness or unfairness committed by public respondents, the presumption of regularity of the bidding for the MCIA Project must stand,” the decision read.

MCIA Authority General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete expressed relief over the decision of SC.

“We’re relieved to have one of the last remaining issues resolved, and we just have move forward and concentrate on the tasks ahead,” said Villarete.

 Villarete said the award of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project to GMR-Megawide is not the end, but is the beginning of better days and years for MCIA.

 He also pointed out that the consortium has just started the real work and it is incumbent for both MCIAA and GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation to ensure that they deliver what they have committed to the public, with the support of all other stakeholders and the community.

 In April 2014, DOTC awarded the MCIA expansion plan to the GMR-Megawide consortium, which emerged as the highest bidder after submitting a P14.4-billion bid for the project.

 GMCAC took over airport operations in November 2014.

 Last January 22, GMCAC held a ceremonial concrete pouring on a vacant lot of the MCIA to signify the start of the construction of the facility’s new terminal, which is set to finish by February 2018.

 On April 3, 2014, Osmeña filed the petition with the SC seeking to nullify the award of the P17.5-billion project to the GMR-Megawide consortium.

 Osmeña asked the SC to provide provisional relief for what he calls the “unmistakable haste” of the DOTC in awarding the project to GMR-Megawide.

 Osmeña sought the consortium’s disqualification from the project and the issuance of a temporary restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction or both to stop the DOTC, its Prequalification Bids and Awards Committee and the MCIAA from giving a notice of award or executing a concession agreement with GMR-Megawide.  (FREEMAN)