ON AIRPORT INQUIRY
Tupas respects decision of ex-ally Justiniani

By Leny G. Gabo

“That is his right and I respect his decision.”

This was the curt reply of Governor Niel Tupas , Sr. when asked of his reaction to a report that former provincial legal officer Atty. Manuel Justiniani would testify against him in the congressional inquiry on alleged airport anomalies.

Tupas said he has no qualms with Justiniani , his former political ally, becoming one of his accusers.

“It is better if can make some findings about the international airport project,” Tupas added.

The governor also said that as of the moment he has not yet received any invitation to attend the congressional inquiry, however, he is willing to appear in congress.

Though , he said, he is not the implementing agency he will still appear so that he could also air his side on the issue.  

It was learned that Congressman Arthur Defensor , chair of the investigating panel, already distributed invitation to officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications and to the provincial government personnel who are involved in the transactions concerning the International Airport Project.

Meanwhile, Tupas merely laughed off the latest case filed by Atty. Cornelio Panes against him at the City Prosecutors Office.

Panes charged Tupas of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for entering into a memorandum of agreement with regard to the airport project without approval from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan .

Tupas just ignored the said accusation filed against him stating that it is politically motivated. According to him it is because Panes is the counsel of his political opponent in last year's election Oscar Garin .