Rodriguez files resolution to suspend Cebu Pacific’s franchise

MANILA, Philippines — Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez has filed a resolution to suspend the congressional franchise given to low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific due to numerous complaints about offloading and poor service.

In a statement on Monday, Rodriguez confirmed that he had filed House Resolution No. 1101 earlier, calling for suspending the franchise granted to Cebu Pacific under Republic Act No. 7151 in August 1991.

The lawmaker detailed in the resolution several complaints against the airliner, highlighting the huge income that the company was able to generate in the past months.

“Cebu Pacific has a history of unsatisfactory service to the public […] passengers of Cebu Pacific experience flight delays and cancellations, and to make matters worse, their customer service is also unreliable with passengers complaining that Cebu Pacific does provide immediate assistance or support regarding their concerns despite seeking help from the airline’s customer service hotlines and in-person help desks,” Rodriguez said in the resolution.

“Reports online show that Cebu Pacific’s financial statement reveals that revenues from rebookings, refunds, and cancellation fees allegedly grew by 270 percent or P1.45 billion, reaching nearly P2 billion in the first quarter of this year; showing that Cebu Pacific is more interested in more profits than good service to the riding public,” he claimed.

Rodriguez cited complaints mentioned during the Senate hearing last June 21, such as the passengers flying to Japan in early June who were not given food and accommodation after their flight was delayed, forcing them to sleep on the floor of the Narita International Airport.

READ: Senate probes overbooking, offloading complaints vs Cebu Pacific

“Some of the complaints that were brought up during a Senate Inquiry include one passenger saying how bad they were treated by Cebu Pacific on their return flight to Manila from Tokyo on June 5 when the said flight was delayed due to ‘noise problems from the aircraft’s engine,’” he said.

“The passenger said that they were given different reasons for the delay, and they were left without food and any commitment for accommodation while waiting for their flight and were forced to sleep on the floor of Narita International Airport in Japan,” he added.

Rodriguez mentioned other specific issues encountered by Cebu Pacific passengers, such as:

• a passenger missing her board examinations due to flight movements
• seats being offered to higher-paying customers
• changing of flights
• flight cancelation without rebooking.

“Now, therefore be it resolved, by the House of Representatives, to suspend the franchise granted to Cebu Air, Inc., under Republic Act No. 7151 to establish, operate and maintain transport services for the carriage of passengers, mail, goods, and property by air,” he said.

Cebu Pacific, during the Senate hearing, apologized for the inconveniences experienced by passengers.  But as to Rodriguez’ latest call for the suspension, INQUIRER.net asked Cebu Pacific representatives for the company’s side of the issue, but they have not yet responded as of posting time.

READ: Cebu Pacific Air’s opening statement at the Senate Hearing and Media Statement

This, however, is not the first time that Rodriguez called for the suspension of Cebu Pacific’s legislative franchise.  Last June 22, he sought the suspension because of its supposed “lousy service,” as several people complained about being offloaded and their harsh treatment on social media.

Rodriguez said that the suspension should serve as a punishment for the company, noting that franchises are given as a privilege.

READ: Solon wants Cebu Pacific’s franchise suspended for ‘lousy service’

je/abc