hesis Statement

The MIA General Manager is responsible to the acts of the NAIA airport
employees in the case of “Laglag Bala Scam” for the reason that it is his duty as stated
in E.O. 226.

Introduction
Public Office is Public Trust

Numerous reports have surfaced in the media concerning the “Laglag-Bala”

Modus Operandi in the Ninoy Aquino Iinternational Airports (NAIA). General Manager
Jose Angel Honrado issued a statement saying that he has no responsibility towards
the acts of his subordinate. This was in connection with airport employees allegedly
participating in a scam wherein they extort money from travelers by placing a bullet in
their bag and threaten the passengers and asking for money to let the passengers
board their respective flights.

Significance of the Research

The research study may benefit, first and foremost, the Political Science field,
particularly the Philippine government, by providing it with reflective results which may
be conducive for reviewing the efficiency of its administrative measures, its
bureaucracies, and its institutions in addressing gun related crimes. The results, upon
initially assessing R.A. 10591, as the measure of the Philippine government to address
gun related issues, may be of benefit to the government to know their current status as
to how they fare with the abovementioned issues.
The political science students may also be benefitted by the research study as
they embark on conducting studies regarding the mechanisms of policy making and its
subsequent implementation. The results of the research study may raise their political
and social awareness as to better understand the gravity of gun related issues in the
society.
In relation to legislation, the research study may be beneficial to the legislators
who focus their gaze on addressing gun related issues. The results of the research
study may be of beneficial help as a reference source and may provide a bulk of
extensive conclusions and analysis to legislation on laws concerning gun control and
regulation. The outcomes of the research may also provide the congress realizations as
to the extent of how R.A. 10591, upon its initial implementation, fared upon pursuing its
core aims and may effectively guide their decisions and assessments as to either
tighten or loosen the law to better serve its purposes.
The research study may also be beneficial to the personnel of the Philippine
National Police; pertinent to this research study were the Directorate of Investigation
and Detective Management and the Firearms and Explosives Office. As being the
official implementers of the policies that the aforementioned law provides, the results of
the research study may generally shed them with light, as to the facts and figures that
the conclusions of the research study will be able to produce, in order to review and
assess their efforts in pursuant to the policies of the law. The research study may also
benefit them in a way that they will be provided with current realizations as to what
aspects of the policies they should give their focus more and to strengthen such for its
much effectiveness.
The research study may also be of benefit to the future researchers of the law. Its
findings may be beneficial in consolidating their researches about the aforementioned
gun control law and may be used as a reference for effectively addressing gun related
issues.
The Filipino citizenry may also be benefitted by the conclusions of the research
study. Its results may be able to enlighten them as to how effective the aforementioned
law was in pursuing its purposes and would provide them with essential outputs in order
to come up with sound feedbacks, proposals, and voice their personal concerns to the
government for the society’s security and betterment.
It is an important discussion as it directly affects the current issue in our country’s
main gateway, NAIA concerning the airport employees being involved in an extortion
scam.
The topic also deals with an important aspect of public governance which is the
responsibility of public officials concerning the acts of their subordinates.

Arguments

Using the Yamashita Standard Doctrine the Executive Department issued

Executive Order No. 226 which was adopted on February 17, 1995, also known as the
Institutionalization of the Doctrine of “Command Responsibility” in all Government
Offices. The said order formalizes the adoption of the aforementioned doctrine to instill
professionalism in government offices and ensure that the public officers shall perform
their duties and functions towards their subordinates.
In Accordance to Section 9 of Executive Order No. 778 which was Adopted in
March 4, 1892, The General Manager of the Manila International Airport Authority shall
have the following functions, powers and duties:

(a) To direct and supervise the management, operation, and

administration of the AUTHORITY so as to provide international standards
of service to airport users, and to ensure its financial stability in
accordance with the programs, plans, policies, procedures and guidelines
of the BOARD;

(b) To undertake, researches, studies, investigations and other activities

related to the present operations and future development requirements of
the AIRPORT, on his own initiative or upon instructions of the BOARD,
 and to submit comprehensive reports and appropriate recommendations
to the BOARD for its information and action;

(c) To appoint, transfer, suspend, remove or otherwise discipline any

subordinate officer or employee of the AUTHORITY, subject to the
approval of the BOARD;

(d) To establish and maintain a system, in coordination with the

appropriate government offices and agencies, for the regular and prompt
dissemination of financial, statistical and other relevant date within the
AUTHORITY and to the BOARD;

(e) Within the limits of the authority delegated to him by the BOARD, to
execute contracts, incur obligations acquire and dispose of assets, and
deliver documents, on behalf of the AUTHORITY;

(f) To implement and enforce decisions, orders, rules and regulations

issued, prescribed or adopted by the BOARD;

(g) To perform such other duties as the BOARD may delegate or assign,
and such acts as may be necessary and proper to implement this
Executive Order.

Conclusion

Basing from the provisions of Executive Orders no. 226 and 778 the General
Manager of MIA is responsible for the acts of his subordinates, especially the NAIA
employees who are allegedly involved in the extortion scam.

Recommendation

The MIA General Manager should be briefed of his duties and responsibilities
and should undergo leadership seminars and trainings as his statement regarding the
extortion scam clearly manifests his lack of knowledge of his responsibility as an officer
of the MIA, most especially his position as the General Manager.