Jinggoy Estrada wants ex-DOTr chief Tugade to face probe on NAIA air traffic glitch

Former Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade must be invited to the Senate's investigation into the supposed power outage that caused flight disruptions at the Ninoy Aquino Airport on January 1, Senator Jinggoy Estrada said Tuesday.

The lawmaker made the remark after Bilyonaryo.com reported that Tugade allegedly used the P13 billion budget for the communications, navigation, surveillance/air traffic management (CNS/ATM) for other purposes such as the installation of electronic billboards and the concreting of parking spaces outside the NAIA terminals.

"Siguro we also have to invite former Secretary Tugade to shed light on it. Kung talagang ginastos niya sa ibang paraan. Pero what I heard from the [former] secretary, I think he already gave a statement, na hindi niya ginastos 'yung P13 billion sa iba’t ibang gastusin," he said in a virtual interview.

GMA News Online sought Tugade's comment on the matter but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

Hundreds of flights and thousands of passengers were affected by a power outage at the Philippine Air Traffic Management Center (ATMC) on Sunday.

In particular, officials said that one of the uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) failed on Sunday morning, and troubleshooting activities had to be done.

Once the system was reconnected to the power supply, however, warnings were released at around lunch time due to over voltage as 380 volts were coming in instead of 220 volts. This then affected the very small aperture terminal (VSAT), which also had to be addressed.

In the same interview, Estrada said that the possible cyberattack should not be discounted as the reason for the shutdown.

"We should look into it. We cannot discount cyberattacks na yan. Hindi natin alam if pinapasukan na tayo ng mga terorista sa ating bansa. Let's not be too complacent about it," he said.

Earlier in the day, Estrada filed a resolution seeking a Senate investigation into the fiasco that happened in the country's main gateway on New Year's Day.—LDF, GMA Integrated News