SBMA Chairman Diño Assumes Duties as Administrator (SBN Exclusive)
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Martin B. Diño may have doused cold water on wild speculations on who President Rodrigo R. Duterte will appoint as SBMA Administrator.
The Administrator is the Chief Executive Officer who shall, among others, directly administer and supervise the operations and day-to-day business activities of the SBMA, according to Republic Act 7227, the law that created SBMA and the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The Chairman’s functions are largely limited to presiding in all meetings of the SBMA Board that formulates policies, directives, plans and programs.
Invoking Section 13, (c) par.4 in conjunction with sec. 13 (d) of Republic Act 7227, Diño said in a Memorandum dated October 10, 2016 issued to SBMA offices, that “The Law is clear… that the Chairman shall also be the Administrator and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). A mere Executive Order shall not work to amend, repeal or supersede the law.”
“With my appointment as Chairman of SBMA, I am duty bound to assume and perform the duties, powers and functions of the Chairman/Administrator and CEO pursuant to law,” he stressed.

It can be recalled that during her administration, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo separated the office of the Administrator from the Chairman by virtue of Executive Order (EO) 340, a move made largely seen merely to accommodate candidates of rival political clans in Zambales and Olongapo City.
Under President Benigno Aquino III, the offices of Chairman and Administrator were again consolidated with Roberto V. Garcia getting the appointment. While Garcia maintains he is still the Administrator pending the appointment of a replacement, Diño asserts that Garcia’s tour as Administrator also lapsed when the President accepted his “courtesy” resignation and appointed a Chairman in his stead.
Earlier, Diño sought clarification from President Duterte, himself, in a letter dated October 5, 2016. It is not clear as yet, however, whether or not the President has already responded.
But Garcia, sources say, is poised to tender another “resignation” as SBMA Administrator on Monday, October 17, 2016, this time, irrevocable.
In a “press release” posted on Facebook today, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, PDP-Laban and defeated candidate for Zambales 1st Congressional District, Michael Macapagal called on President Duterte to appoint an administrator, saying: “…it makes a lot of sense to name to the post someone who has a good grasp of the local political and economic landscape, someone who knows the lay of the land, so to speak.”
He has openly eyed the position of SBMA Chairman & Administrator but is pushing for the appointment of his brother Marvin until his one-year ban on eligibility for appointment to any government office for running in the last elections is over.
When Diño was appointed Chairman, Macapagal (Michael) posted on Facebook: “Congratulations po sa bagong chairman ng SBMA, Pdp Laban’s Martin BOBOT Dino. Mabuhay din ang susunod na Administrator at Chief Executive Officer ng SBMA. Abangan po ninyo yan. Isang hint – mas pogi po ako sa kanya. JOKE.” (…Long live, too, to the next Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of SBMA. Wait for it. One hint – I’m more good-looking than him. JOKE.”)
Michael’s pronouncements appear that he has settled to at least snatch for his brother the Administrator’s post. However, like Michael, Marvin’s qualifications are also under fire by various sectors.
There are other contenders for the post, according to sources, among whom are perceived Sen. Richard Gordon-backed lawyers Wilma Eisma-Barbasa and Ramon O. Agregado, currently SBMA Sr. Deputy Administrator, former SBMA Director Ted Del Rosario whose participation as Benefactor & Volunteer for Duterte’s campaign in Subic & Olongapo has been recognized in a book by now Philippine Sports Commisssion (PSC) Chair William “Butch” Ramirez, and Lawyer Randy B. Escolango, currently SBMA Deputy Administrator (DA) for Legal, a member of the sect Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), who has reportedly been told by Duterte, himself, in a private meeting in Davao City, that he will be appointed to the post.
But unless President Duterte appoints an Administrator, Diño, armed with RA 7227, is bent on performing the duties of not only Chairman but Administrator, as well, being the only one, so far, with an appointment by the President, albeit as Chairman only.
President Duterte is also yet to appoint new members of the depleted SBMA Board, another complication in running the billion-dollar government-owned and controlled corporation. (Vic V. Vizcocho, Jr.) ###