Govt lawyers to explore options on $176-M award to PIATCO

The Aquino administration’s top lawyers will explore which options to pursue following the Pasay Regional Trial Court ruling that awarded Philippine International Airport Terminals Co. Inc. (PIATCO) $175.79 million for government’s expropriation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3. Solicitor-General Jose Anselmo Cadiz confirmed that “the legal team will meet to discuss what further action to take," Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said on Tuesday. Lacierda noted that the amount is “much closer to our position of $145 million than PIATCO’s $800 million plus appraisal claim." Lacierda and Communications Strategy Secretary Ramon Carandang said the decision of Branch 117 of the Pasay Regional Trial Court is a step closer to resolving the NAIA-3 conflict. “There are too many factors beyond our control," Carandang said. “What if Piatco appeals? That would lengthen the process." “Whatever the case may be, one of the things necessary for the resolution of the NAIA 3 problem is for the court to rule on that," he added. Meanwhile, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government has always expressed readiness to pay “what is just and what is reasonable." — With a report by Amita Legaspi/PE/ELR/VS, GMA News