Duterte axed all officials of Nayong Pilipino — Palace

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over the 28th Cabinet Meeting at Malacañan Palace on August 6, 2018. RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Duterte fired all board members as well as the entire management of the government-owned Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF), Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. announced.

In a palace briefing on Tuesday, August 7, Roque said the officials were terminated after they leased a government property for 70 years which is “beyond the lifetime of anyone.”

The spokesman narrated that Duterte, who has been sacking some government officials due to allegations of irregularity or wrongdoing in office, was ‘exasperated’ at the beginning of their Cabinet meeting on Monday, August 6, as corruption continues even in his administration.

“He cited the case of Nayong Pilipino which leased government property for a ridiculous long period of time of 70 years beyond the lifetime of anyone,” he said.

“And he considered this as a contract which was grossly disadvantageous to the government. He, therefore, announced that he was sacking all members of the board and management of Nayong Pilipino,” he continued.

The papers which will formally terminate NPF’s entire management and board of directors would be issued in due course by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, according to the spokesman.

Roque did not specify which lease deal the President was talking about, but the spokesman said Duterte would have the contract cancelled.

Asked whether or not the government would pursue filing charges against the officials, Roque answered, “I do not know yet.”

The dismissal came just as NPF’s officials were at the ground-breaking ceremony of Nayon Landing, Landing International Development Ltd.’s $1.5-billion integrated casino-resort, on Tuesday. This project consists of a Filipino cultural theme park, water park, hotels, convention center, and other commercial facilities.

The NPF is a controlled corporation under the Department of Tourism (DOT) which was established in 1969 to “showcase the diversity of Philippine culture and heritage through its cultural and tourism-oriented theme park located in Pasay City adjacent to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).”

From the 1970s to 2002, the NPF’s theme park served as a one-stop destination for both local and foreign visitors who wishes to see different landmarks and experience the Philippines’ diverse cultural features.