As we've shown you one of the figures in the political constellation at the helm of the Airports Authority is Thea Garcia. She's the former GM, but, she says don't blame her e- she was out on sick leave when the contract was signed - but says shE did have concerns about the haste:
Thea Garcia Ramirez, Former General Manager, BAA:
"I remember getting an email. I was out on sick leave. It was the 23rd. I was of the opinion that maybe it was a bit, you know, maybe hasty. Yes. But, I was not there when the contracts were signed. I wasn't in office"
Reporter:
"Nor when the decision to award it was taken."
Thea Garcia Ramirez, Former General Manager, BAA:
"No, I was not. Then when I came back to, well, I typically do not work between Christmas and New Year, so I would have left the 23rd or the 24th. In any case, I was I was sick. So when the it came to me, I advised that maybe it would be better for a legal council to look over the contracts, which would be basic and standard procedure. I am unaware if that was done. But when I came back, those contracts were signed and on my table, and so I cannot speak to the process, again, Just that they were and I think the person that would be best to answer those questions would be the former chairperson, who is, Mr. Ricardo Martin. And then he would know what consultation. So I was ill, and so if there was a board meeting, if, you know, he would be the person to to let you know what the finished process look like and the and the contracts. So basically on my part, I came after the Christmas break to find those contracts and that would be my thing shortly after, as you know, the election date was set, and it was at that point that I had to resign my post at the BAA, because then it would be, you know, it would not have been, an ethical place to stay. And I had to go out and campaign. So I had to resign my post, and I was withdraw from the BAA."
Reporter:
"Weren't you in a position to raise all the hell if you would, amplify your voice so that your concerns would be heard and certain actions as would have been recommended or suggested by you, be taken ahead of the signing of these agreements?"
Reporter:
"And even after at the point when they ended up on your desk."
Thea Garcia Ramirez, Former General Manager, BAA:
"Well, at the time they ended up on my desk, the contracts have been signed, so I don't exactly know what I could have done at that point. But I did document my thoughts and my preference for the handling of the contracts.However, I was not in a position to do much more than that. As I said, I do not have any voting privileges in the board, nor does any general manager under the current act."
We'll keep following the story - and pushing for release of the contracts.
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