Legal challenge will not stop gov’t from taking over NAIA-3

There is no stopping the government from completely taking over Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 despite the remaining legal challenge posed by Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Solicitor General Eduardo Antonio Nachura said yesterday.

AEDC has filed a case before the Supreme Court to compel the government to award the NAIA-3 contract to AEDC. The Supreme Court will hear the case on Oct. 24.

Nachura said cases like this would have no effect anymore on the government’s takeover of NAIA-3 especially after it had already paid P3 billion for the acquisition.

"We have taken over already and we are exerting all efforts towards the opening of the terminal unless there is (another obstacle). It’s been taking quite a while now,’’ he said.

The government paid P3 billion to Philippine International Air Terminals Co. (Piatco) as part of its takeover arrangement with the consortium. The payment had been delayed by legal wrangling over who should be allowed to operate NAIA-3.

The issue was resolved when the Court of Appeals lifted the temporary restraining order on the release of the money. It was Rep. Salacnib Baterina, one of the intervenors in the case, who sought to stop the government from paying P3 billion to Piatco.

In 2003, the Supreme Court nullified Piatco’s right to build and operate NAIA-3, saying portions of the contract were disadvantageous to the government. — Aurea Calica