Solon steps into PTA row

Embattled Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) General Manager Nixon Kua has apparently found an ally in Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos, who urged two committees to look into the row at the agency.

Marcos asked the House committee on civil service and professional regulation and committee on government enterprises and privatization to conduct an inquiry into the Kua case.

"We have to determine whether there is a need to adopt more adequate policies and more effective measures of ensuring that no officer shall be removed or suspended from office except for cause as provided by law," Marcos said.

She explained that the legislative intent behind a fixed term of office is to shield the agency from partisan politics.

"To shield the PTA general manager from partisan politics is to shield the PTA employees and PTA resources from partisan politics too," she added.

In an order, Malacañang ordered Kua to step down, saying his term of office expired on Oct. 2, 2002.

Kua, however, protested the order and insisted that his term will lapse only in 2006, or six years after he was appointed by ousted President Joseph Estrada.

Robert Dean Barbers, who tried to assume office at the PTA general manger’s office last Friday was prevented by Kua and his supporters.

The son of Sen. Robert Barbers holds office as PTA general manager at the office of Deputy General Manager for Infrastructure Dion Diaz on the fifth floor of the building of Department of Tourism, which houses the PTA offices.

Marcos rejected the legal opinion of Malacañang that Kua, who was appointed Nov. 7, 2000, served the unexpired term of his predecessor.

"Where the law fixes the term of an officer, he cannot be removed from office, except for cause as provided by PTA charter," she said. – Cecille Suerte Felipe