Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 9) – Although both chambers of Congress are in recess, the House Committee on Transportation will probe the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) New Year’s day technical breakdown tomorrow, which left thousands of passengers stranded.
READ: NAIA operations struggle even as air traffic center resumes after New Year’s Day glitch
On Tuesday morning, Jan. 10, the Department of Transportation (DOTR), the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and government agencies relevant to the NAIA incident will brief the Transportation panel chaired by Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop on what went wrong, the House of Representatives’ website detailed.
However, this briefing will not be a legislative inquiry as it was not initiated motu proprio – through a majority vote by the panel members – nor was it made through the referral of a House Resolution (HR).
An inquiry in aid of legislation, one in which witnesses and resource persons are held under oath, is usually initiated through the filing of an HR or by the referral of a speech or inquiry demand to the appropriate panel, as per the House rules on inquiries.
Meanwhile, Committee on Good Government and Accountability chairperson San Jose Del Monte Rep. Florida Robes filed HR 672 last Jan. 4 directing her committee to launch a legislative inquiry into the NAIA mess.
Robes, also a member of the Transportation panel, was one of the affected passengers as she was on her way back to the Philippines when the NAIA incident took place.
No date has been set for the Good Government and Accountability panel’s inquiry yet.
Senior Deputy Minority Leader Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza earlier urged both the House and the Senate to launch a joint legislative inquiry into the NAIA breakdown.
The Senate Committee on Public Service, Civil Service, Government Reorganization, and Professional Regulation chaired by Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., and the Committee on Finance chaired by Senator Sonny Angara is scheduled to hold a joint-committee briefing into the NAIA mess on Thursday, Jan. 12.
READ: Senate to probe NAIA New Year mess
Both chambers of Congress adjourned session for the holidays last December. They will resume session on Jan. 23.
