CEBU Pacific said that the pilot who alleged that Vice President Leni Robredo requested for priority landing in April has admitted that his post had no basis.
A statement issued on on Tuesday (May 17) said that Cebu Pacific Air’s vice-president for flight operations Captain Sam Avila has confirmed that the claims of the pilot concerned were “purely speculative and careless.”
“On behalf of Cebu Pacific, and as Head of our Pilot Group, I take command responsibility and apologize unreservedly to the Vice President and the general public for the actions of our pilot. As professional aviators and free citizens of this country, we are free to express opinions, but we are also expected to carry out our roles and duties with utmost discernment and caution,” Avila said.
The post, which has been deleted now, had the pilot claiming that last month, because Robredo requested for priority landing, his flight was diverted to Clark International Airport in Pampanga, even adding that Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airlines flights were among those affected by the said diversion.
The post was meant to debunk Robredo’s simplicity, after she was seen on social media ironing the graduation dress of her daughter in the US.
However, no flight diversions at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in April were ever reported.
Avila said the pilot’s post “should not have been published,” as Cebu Pacific has strict social media policies covering its employees and “this is recognized by the said pilot himself. He is currently under disciplinary review in accordance with our Company rules and standards.”
Earlier on, CEB brought to the attention of CAAP the controversial post and CAAP said it sees the issue as an internal matter that must be discussed by the airline and concerned pilot.
