PB invites Cebu Pacific over Soco’s complaint

The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) invited the management of Cebu Pacific Airlines to attend the regular session on Monday to respond to a complaint of businessman Glenn Soco, who was bumped off a flight last month.

Soco, the runningmate of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia in the 2010 election, filed a complaint against the airline with the PB committee on tourism and international affairs.

Soco said the airline had mishandled its booking and boarding services, making him miss a flight to Cebu.

The board approved last Monday a resolution inviting the airline.

When Cebu Daily News called Charles Lim, Cebu media consulant of Cebu Pacific, last night and another marketing staff member in Manila, both said they were not aware of any formal complaint by Soco or invitation by the Capitol legislators.

Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, tourism committee chairperson, sponsored the resolution.

Soco said he pre-booked a plane ticket for a flight from Manila to Cebu scheduled to depart at 10 a.m. on April 16.

Soco said he arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 9 a.m. but was told an hour later that he was bumped off his flight due to non-availability of seats.
Soco tried to reach an airline officer but got no explanation for losing his seat.

Soco’s case was just the “latest addition to the litany of complaints coming from domestic and international passengers against the Cebu Pacific Airlines pertaining to the efficiency, competence, adequacy, and professionalism of its services,” Magpale’s resolution read.

She said the PB “reiterates its commitment to promote and protect the image of Cebu as a top tourist destination, which should not be tarnished by mediocre and feeble services of the country’s airline companies that are supposed to be the frontline carriers of Cebu’s unique hospitality and goodwill.”
The marketing staff member CDN reached for comment said that Cebu Pacific hasn’t received a formal complaint from Soco.

She said that passengers who have complaints are encouraged to contact their guest services department.