Solon wants probe on gov’t officials’ use of ‘luxury plane’ in papal visit

MANILA, Philippines—Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon wanted Congress to investigate the use of public funds for the chartered plane that skidded off the Tacloban runway while carrying Cabinet officials during the visit of Pope Francis.

In House Resolution 1848, Ridon urged the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability to “conduct an inquiry on the use of public funds to fly Cabinet members and their staff using Bombardier Gl50, an executive private charter plane, for their travel from Manila-Tacloban-Manila during the papal visit, that compromised public safety and disrupted airport operations when it skidded off the runway.”

Ridon said the use of what he called a “luxury plane” contradicted the Pope’s message of mercy, compassion and a simple lifestyle.

He added that the plane, which obstructed the runway and disrupted airport operations just when pilgrims were flying from Tacloban, posed a threat to public safety.

“The committee, through its mandate, should invite the Cabinet members who were passengers of the executive private charter plane to probe such display of extravagance at the expense of the public,” Ridon said.

Last January 17, a government plane skidded off the runway in the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport barely an hour after Pope Francis left Tacloban from his mercy visit for storm victims.

An official statement from Malacañang said Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Undersecretary Emmanuel Bautista, Undersecretary Felizardo Serapio Jr., eight staff members and three crew members were in the plane when it skidded off the runway.

Authorities said a crosswind pushed the aircraft to veer off the runway. Leyte was then placed under Signal No. 2 due to Tropical Storm “Amang.”

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