A pilot supposedly working for Cebu Pacific Air is under fire for accusing Vice President Leni Robredo of causing flight diversions at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) during the campaign season.
In a Facebook post Monday (May 16), a certain Van Rañoa claimed an Australian envoy on board his flight was inconvenienced by Robredo’s supposed order.
“On Leni’s ironing graduation toga at New York; showbiz! How about ‘yung nag divert kami last month kasi pinahold nya lahat ng flights par lang priority to land cya sa Manila? And that is coming from a campaign in the south,” Rañoa said.
“I know she’s entitled to that as VP, pero para gawin mo on peak hours at para sa election, mali na ata yun. Pasahero ko pa ambassador ng Australia that time, and when I made the PA before we divert I can see his head shaking na lng sa camera. I have 7 infants on board na naririnig kong umiiyak during our fule stop at Clark and passengers who missed their connecting flights,” Rañoa added.
Rañoa claimed that flights from Singapore Airlines and Qatar Air were also diverted because of Robredo. He said the incident wasn’t reported by the mainstream media because of supposed favoritism for the Vice President.
“Bakit yun hindi nabalita? Kasi nga ang image na gusto nyo makita kay Leni is mapagkumbaba, malinis at makamasa,” Rañoa said.
Cebu Pacific Air issued a statement Monday night saying that the incident will be dealt with internally and in cooperation with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
Rañoa has since taken down his Facebook post.
“Cebu Pacific respects freedom of speech and expression and does not prevent its employees from having or expressing their own political beliefs. However, as a Company, we are also governed by the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and our Company’s Code of Discipline,” the airline said.
“Sensitive company information and operational details must not be disclosed publicly – even when factual and more so, if erroneous to prevent the spread of disinformation. Cebu Pacific is currently working with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on this particular matter. CEB will address this item internally with the concerned stakeholder(s) based on our Company guidelines,” Cebu Pacific added.
