Agusan Del Sur Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza urged President Arroyo on Tuesday to order the immediate relief of Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Administrator Ma. Elena Bautista following a Supreme Court (SC) ruling which declared as “unconstitutional” her appointment as chief of the Marina.

Plaza, a senatorial candidate under the Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), issued his call, saying he was right all the while in questioning the Bautista’s appointment as Marina chief. Bautista is concurrently holding the post of transportation and communication undersecretary

“Finally, it’s a vindication. I have repeatedly pointed out that she could not hold two positions at the same time and that Ms. Bautista was never fit for her job in Marina. The president should now appoint a more competent administrator who is more knowledgeable in the dynamics of the maritime industry,” said Plaza, Bautista’s most vocal critic.

Plaza stressed that the tribunal’s decision was timely as the industry remains beset with problems such as the rampant fatal sea mishaps that had claimed hundreds of lives already. All these, Plaza also said, happened under Bautista’s watch.

But Bautista shrugged off the SC decision ordering her removal from her post saying she had long complied with the requirement.

“I’m no longer on a dual post. I’m now the Marina administrator, full time not just officer in charge. Thompson Lantion is the Undersecretary for Maritime Affairs,” Bautista said.

The Palace said that SC ruling over the appointment of Bautista as MARINA acting administrator serves as a warning to other government officials who hold two or more posts.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Gary Olivar said they are respectful of the High Court’s decision which declared as illegal Bautista’s designation as officer-in-charge of MARINA in 2008 since she was also serving as Undersecretary for Maritime Transport at the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC).