Roque on MIASCOR’s plea to Duterte: Nothing to appeal as there is no existing contract

Malacañang on Sunday said there is no reason for the MIASCOR Groundhandling Corporation to appeal to President Rodrigo Duterte after the Manila International Airport Authority's (MIAA) dropped it last week, as the company's contract had already expired anyway.

"The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA)’s lease and concession agreement contract with MIASCOR has already expired," Roque said in a statement.

"In light of the recent directive of the President, the position of the MIAA is not to renew the contract following its expiration because of many cases/instances of pilferage, both in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Clark International Airport," Roque added.

Duterte ordered MIAA to end its contract with MIASCOR after an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) from Canada complained that P82,000 worth of items was stolen from his luggage at the Clark International Airport.

Six MIASCOR employees have been charged with theft over the incident.

The company said it would appeal to Duterte for reconsideration, saying thousands of its employees would be affected.

Roque said MIASCOR qualified personnel will be absorbed by other existing ground handlers.

"The fact is the jobs are there so these will be filled up either by new hires or qualified staff from MIASCOR," he said.

He also assured the public that there would be no service disruption following the President's decision.

"Our airport authorities have assured us that there will be no service disruption that will affect the traveling public," Roque said. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BM, GMA News