Sacked Marina chief says ‘trips abroad necessary’

Fired Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) chief Marcial Amaro III negated claims that his trips abroad were excessive, saying those travels were necessary and whoever may replace his position ‘would have to travel the same way.’

After spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.’s announcement of his ouster yesterday, in which he said President Rodrigo Duterte fired Amaro due to excessive junkets, Amaro defended himself against allegations.

In an interview with ANC, he said that he traveled on 21 occasions as chief of Marina, all of which were approved by the Department of Transportation (DTI).

Amaro added that traveling is a nature of his job as chief because “Marina is an international organization, a specialized organization of the government that deals with international organizations.

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He said that 15 of his trips were financed by the Philippine government and the other 6 trips were sponsored by other countries, stressing that these were all beneficial for the country.

Although disappointed, Amaro said he accepts the president’s decision to remove him from his post.

(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 01/ 05 / 18)