Lorenzana says sorry to VP for wrong info on aircraft use

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has apologized to Vice President Leni Robredo for erroneously reporting that she boarded a Philippine Air Force C-130 plane to Catanduanes.

Robredo disputed a claim by Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo that she used a government-owned C-130 plane when she visited her native Bicol region to send relief aid to typhoon survivors. Panelo said his basis was Lorenzana’s report.

“I requested the Philippine Air Force to confirm through their flight manifest and they reported that there was no instance that Vice President Robredo boarded any military aircraft in going to Catanduanes,” Lorenzana said.

A flight manifest, however, showed that a Huey helicopter flew relief goods from Robredo’s office in Legazpi City, Albay to Catanduanes last Nov. 3.

Panelo claimed that the vice president went to Catanduanes using a C-130 filled with relief goods to claim credit for the relief operation.

But what’s wrong with the second highest leader of the land riding a government plane in the first place? There’s none, said the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“There’s no issue on that as far as the AFP is concerned,” said AFP spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, speaking in Filipino.

“What’s needed is just proper coordination or information ahead of time,” he said.

TSB