In a statement circulated to airport stakeholders, the Samahang Manggagawa sa Paliparan ng Pilipinas (SMPP), the duly recognized union of Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) employees, said it had no involvement with “Puso ng NAIA,” a group that has been vocal in accusing MIAA and New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) of alleged lapses in the PPP process.
The SMPP said it was neither consulted nor authorized anyone to speak or file petitions in its name, noting that some groups “misrepresented” themselves as speaking for airport workers. The union clarified that any petitions before the Supreme Court questioning the legality of the PPP concession — such as alleged “red flags” over fee collections — were not union concerns.
In a letter to NNIC general manager Angelito Alvarez dated Oct. 24, 2025, the MIAA formally endorsed the SMPP statement to clear the air, saying it should “bring clarity to the matter.” He reiterated that SMPP “categorically denies any participation or authorization” in the filing of court cases and “disassociates itself” from groups like Puso ng NAIA.
Behind the scenes, however, insiders say the disinformation drive against NNIC and San Miguel Corp. has all the hallmarks of a coordinated smear campaign. At the center of it is reportedly one of NAIA’s biggest private lessees — a long-time occupant of prime airport real estate — whose contract expired almost two months ago.
This lessee, which has yet to sign a renewal agreement, is said to be pressing for preferential treatment by refusing to pay the Asian Development Bank–approved concession privilege fees that all other airport tenants have been paying without issue.
The delay has left it effectively in arrears to both NNIC and the government, even as it quietly bankrolls efforts to cast doubt on the PPP project’s legitimacy.
If true, this episode underscores how vested interests — not public accountability — are fueling the latest turbulence at the country’s main gateway. The louder the contrived complaints grow, the clearer it seems who stands to lose the most once the new airport contract terms finally take off.
Senior Reporter
