He and his boss and buddy Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan were daringly and prominently pro-Duterte during the last presidential campaign period, in a situation that, historically, had always weighed heavily on presidential appointments.
Cauguiran and Pamintuan’s Facebook photos visiting then presidential candidate Duterte in the latter’s Davao home sealed thoughts that should Duterte win, Cauguiran would clinch the top CIAC post.
And then, too, Cauguiran has been known as advocate for the Clark International Airport, having launched Move Clark Now years ago, soon after the US military abandoned Clark and the government transformed the former US base into an economic zone. He could be credited as among the few who had inspired former Pres. Fidel Ramos to issue an executive order in 1994 declaring Clark airport as the country’s future premier gateway.
Thus last week, CIAC top executive Emigdio Tanjuatco III, an appointee of former Pres. Aquino, resigned.
In a telephone interview, Tanjuatco said he submitted late last week his resignation “effective immediately” to Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade who, during the term of former Pres. Aquino, served as head of the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) also based in this freeport.
The Department of Transportation has direct authority over CIAC. “I wanted Sec. Tugade to be given a freer hand in choosing somebody to head CIAC within the parameters of Malacanang. I just don’t want to be a bother to anyone,” said Tanjuatco who did not report to work starting last Monday.
During the launching of a free wifi project of Smart at the Clark International Airport Friday afternoon, Tanjuatco’s absence was noted. Cauguiran, however, was present, although no announcement of his appointment to the top CIAC post was announced.
Cauguiran, a former councilor of Angeles City, had served as CIAC executive vice president during the term of former Pres. Arroyo.
Tanjuatco expressed his gratitude to various sectors who, he noted, had helped him during his term as CIAC president. “I did the best I could and I really came to like what I was doing. I will never forget my stint here,” said Tanjuatco who belongs to a well-known political clan in Rizal province.
