8 PPA execs, personnel fired over office party

CEBU, Philippines —  Eight Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)-Bohol Port Management Office (PMO) officials and employees were fired from their posts for allegedly partying and boozing inside their office.

PPA General Manager Jay Santiago identified them as Bohol PMO acting manager Lord Tyrone Agaton, who was appointed last June; port services division manager Julius Jumangit; lawyer Sherlito Columnas, Jr.; and port police officers Edcel E. Epan, Victor B. Cagulada, Mary Maricka R. Aguirre, Meljann B. Oronan, and Emily Ross C. Tubio.

A three-minute closed-circuit television video that PPA shared to reporters last Friday showed the eight dancing and singing with a band inside the Bohol PMO’s multi-purpose hall past 9 p.m. last August 16.

They were also captured drinking alcoholic beverages at that time. Agaton, the PPA said, apologized to the PPA management.

Santiago maintained that PPA officials and employees should avoid holding parties and drinking liquor inside their offices.

As a result of the incident, Agaton is sent back back to his former position as Western Leyte/Biliran PMO principal engineer.

Bataan/Aurora PMO Acting Port Manager Jon Gabriell Manansala will replace him in Bohol. /RHM