"Local government threatens to auction off Manila airport"

Friday, February 7, 2003

Local government threatens to auction off Manila airport


MANILA, (AFP) - Manila airport authorities on Friday threatened to file suit
to prevent a local government entity from seizing portions of the
Philippines' main international gateway as payment for back taxes.

Airport general manager Ed Manda said the city government of Paranaque
suburb has advised the airport authority that it would enforce an earlier
decision to auction off parts of the airport that lie on city limits.

"Operations at the airport will remain normal as we look for ways to settle
this matter with the city government of Paranaque," Manda said in a
statement.

City mayor Joey Marquez has alleged the city is owed back taxes which it
failed to collect despite repeated demands.

Manda said the airport management is contesting the tax issue in a pending
Supreme Court case.

"I believe that there is a solution for every problem, but I won't hesitate
to do battle with the Paranaque city government should it insist on
auctioning off any portion of the airport facility to claim what it says are
taxes that are due the city government," Manda said.

"This is a case of national interest, which is paramount to all other
interests."


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