MARIVELES, Bataan - Bataan 2nd District Representative appealed Tuesday to critics of the Freeport Authority of Bataan (FAB) to give its officials a chance to forge on with the Freeport's ambitious programs for the development of the province.
Garcia, who authored the law for the conversion of the Bataan Special Economic Zone into the FAB, expressed lament over moves to replace the FAB officials who planned and are now implementing the comprehensive development program for the Freeport located in his district.
He said political opponents of his family who lost in the last elections are allegedly posturing to replace the current composition of the FAB Board.
The congressman bewailed the move of these critics, with alleged vested interests in taking over the administration of FAB, to float reports that FAB board members were supposedly handpicked by his father, Governor Enrique "Tet" Garcia Jr.
"There's nothing to all these talk questioning the appointments (of the FAB board members)," Rep. Garcia said. "They're (critics) are just riding on Executive Order No. 2 on the false premise that the FAB board members are "midnight appointees" while they are not."
EO2 is an order issued recently by President Benigno S. Aquino III which voids and nullifies all so-called midnight appointments and promotions made by the past president in the last 45 days of her term prior to the elections beginning on March 11, 2010.
However, Garcia clarified that the appointment of FAB Chairman and Administrator Deogracias Custodio, who is a native of Bataan, was on March 4.
"It is inconceivable that anyone from Bataan would be against something that will undoubtedly better the lives of our province mates, and if these detractors claim to care about Bataan, then they should not shoot down what is probably our greatest opportunity for success. They should not only give the FAB a chance," said the congressman.
Garcia called on critics to stop sowing intrigue and confusion among the people of Bataan and give FAB a chance to "focus on efforts on helping attract investors, build businesses, bring in tourists, and thereby create jobs for our people."
