Civil Aviation Authority executive probed for grave misconduct

MANILA, Philippines – Director General Ruben Ciron has ordered the investigation of Daniel Dimagiba, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) deputy director-general for operations, for alleged acts of grave misconduct, including issuing a certificate to operate to an airline company.

Dimagiba’s issuance of an Air Carrier Operating Certificate (ACOC) to Sky Aviation Services, Inc. (SASI) on Aug. 1, 2008 has drawn the attention of the Australian aviation oversight authority and the European Union Air Safety Committee.

Last Feb. 5, Ciron sent Dimagiba a memorandum ordering him to submit an explanation why no administrative or criminal charges should be filed against him.

In response, Dimagiba sent Ciron a copy of his “letter of apology” to Daniel Calleja, Director-General for Energy and Transport of the European Commission, dated Feb. 10.

Dimagiba said he issued the ACOC on Aug. 1, 2008 in the belief that it was within the scope of his authority while the CAAP was in a transition period and the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 9497, the Civil Aviation Authority Act of 2008, was still being prepared.

Dimagiba allegedly committed eight counts of grave misconduct. He and another employee were the subjects of a written complaint addressed to President Arroyo on Jan. 2, 2008 by the Flying School Operators Association, which alleged that Dimagiba and the employee were collecting $1,500 per foreign student before signing certificates. Dimagiba denied the claim.

On Sept. 15, 2008, Dimagiba and another employee reportedly threatened flight operations inspectors Capt. Andrew Florentino and Capt. Ismael Lapus Jr. to change the failing grades they gave to “organic pilots” Capt. Jayfred Basawil and Capt. Saturnino de la Cruz or else they and four other flight inspectors will not be issued their licenses and their funding from the International Civil Aviation Organization will be cut off.

Dimagiba is also reportedly guilty of unauthorized correspondence and misrepresentation with foreign authorities and international organizations. In some correspondences, Dimagiba reportedly expressed CAAP official positions with regard to RP-registered aircraft operating abroad with foreign civil aviation authorities without consulting or informing the director general of CAAP. – Rudy Santos