Palace welcomes Supreme Court ruling vs Bautista

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) on the appointment of Maritime Industry Authority officer-in-charge Ma. Elena Bautista, saying she can now serve as full-time administrator of the agency.

Olivar said the SC merely ruled that Bautista cannot hold two concurrent positions in the executive branch in response to a petition filed against her in 2008 when she was still undersecretary for maritime transport of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

However, because Bautista no longer holds the undersecretary post at the DOTC, Olivar said she is now authorized to become a full-time administrator of Marina.

Meanwhile, the DOTC said it would exert effort to avert a scheduled strike by shippers in the Visayas who are opposing Bautista’s policy directives to boost maritime safety.

Thompson Lantion, DOTC undersecretary for maritime transport and department spokesman, said DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza would arrange a series of dialogues with the complaining shippers to thresh out their complaints and grievances.

“We will reach out and seek a dialogue,” Lantion said. – With Rainier Allan Ronda