’NO BASIS’

Cebu Pacific apologizes for 'speculative and careless' post of pilot against Robredo

Cebu Pacific has apologized and placed one of its pilots on disciplinary review for a “speculative and careless” social media post alleging that Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo caused flight diversions, which the carrier admitted had “no basis.”

According to Cebu Pacific Air Vice President for Flight Operations Captain Sam Avila, professional aviators are free to express opinions, but this comes with expectations that their roles are conducted with discernment.

“Since becoming aware of the social media post by one of our pilots in reference to a flight of Vice President Leni Robredo, I confirm that the pilot has made it clear to us that he had no basis for his claim and was purely speculative and careless on his part,” Avila said in a statement released on social media.

“Cebu Pacific has very strict social media policies covering all of its employees and such a post should not have been published. This is recognized by the said pilot himself. He is currently under disciplinary review in accordance with our Company rules and standards,” the statement continued.

The statement was released after one its pilots claimed that Robredo supposedly requested that her flight be given priority, and that one of the passengers on his flight affected by the so-called diversion was the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines.

The post has since been taken down, and Cebu Pacific earlier said it continues to be governed by the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

Moving forward, Avila noted that the pilot made the post on his own accord, but Avila takes command responsibility as head of the Pilot Group.

“…I take command responsibility and apologize unreservedly to the Vice President and take general public for the actions of our pilot,” he said.

Shares in Cebu Air Inc., which operates Cebu Pacific, were trading flat at P45.00 apiece as of 10:53 a.m. on Tuesday.—AOL, GMA News