Leyte lawmaker responds to passengers of skidded plane

TACLOBAN CITY—Despite political differences, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez immediately responded to check the condition of Cabinet members and other officials after their plane skidded at Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport on Saturday, according to a press release.

Romualdez facilitated the treatment of seven of the 15 passengers and crew of the Bombadier Global Express plane after it skidded off a wet runway.

Dr. Wilfredo Liao, director of the Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical Foundation, said Romualdez requested him to treat the passengers, who suffered minor injuries, such as swelling of the head and knees.

“It was a good gesture on the part of Congressman Romualdez, who arrived first on the scene, knowing he is an opposition leader and a critic of the Aquino government,” Liao said in an interview.

“He even visited the patients to ensure that all were treated well. They were thankful for the concern by Congressman Romualdez.”

Six of the patients were discharged on Sunday while one was an outpatient.

Paula Sydiongco, assistant regional director of the health department, thanked Romualdez for responding to the scene and alerting the hospital to send out ambulances, according to Rachel Rodeles-Santiago, chief of staff of Romualdez.

Romualdez is among the opposition leaders who have been receiving criticisms from President Aquino.

The congressman was seen at the airport talking to Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., two of the plane passengers, to check on their condition.

The other passengers included Malabon City Rep. Josephine Veronique Lacson-Noel and Undersecretaries Emmanuel Bautista and Felizardo Serapio.

Rodeles-Santiago identified the six who were confined in the hospital as Joseph Manigas, pilot; Vicente Abaygar, copilot; Oliver Veslino, of the Presidential Security Group; Rafael Caro, flight engineer; Elmer Suba, assistant flight engineer; Julbani Asdani; and the outpatient, Katherine Andraneda, senior staff of Ochoa.

The plane skidded as it attempted to take off Saturday, an hour after a Philippine Airlines plane carrying Pope Francis and his delegation left for Manila.

Firetrucks were seen hosing down the downed plane as it lay on a grassy area off the runway.