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Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista didn’t mince words when addressing a recent report claiming that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) had unilaterally approved an airport fee hike without proper Cabinet clearance. During the Aviation Summit 2024, he made it clear that this report was completely false and baseless.

“That [report] is a false statement. That’s not true. Sinasabi dun na we approved the rates without approval from Cabinet,” Sec. Bautista firmly stated. He emphasized that the proposed airport rates were, in fact, discussed thoroughly across several Cabinet meetings, and even received strong support from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

He explained, “It passed through the Cabinet meetings. There were many Cabinet meetings that we had to discuss this.”

When asked if he had any plans to take legal action against those responsible for the misleading report, Sec. Bautista dismissed the idea, saying, “Hindi na, ang sakin ang importante ‘yung totoo lang. Hindi naman totoo.”