Flight delays, baggage offloading being probed – Lacierda

An investigation over the supposed incompetence of some airlines in providing its passengers the right services is ongoing, Malacañang said on Monday.   Incidents of offloading and delayed flights are “being investigated by the airport authorities. I spoke to (Manila International Airport Authority) general manager Angel Honrado and they are investigating the entire matter,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a press briefing.   On Sunday, Cebu Pacific supposedly offloaded the baggage of actor Raymart Santiago and his wife, the actress Claudine Barretto, and other passengers without informing them.    A scuffle between columnist Ramon Tulfo and Santiago supposedly ensued in NAIA-3’s baggage area, but it wasn’t clear how the fight started. Tulfo was accosted by Santiago after the latter caught the columnist taking a video of Barretto allegedly berating Cebu Pacific staff for offloading their baggage.   Lacierda refused to comment on the brawl. “Let us not do inductive reasoning here. We do not wish to be drawn to that particular scuffle between the Santiagos and Mr. Mon Tulfo.”   Tulfo and the Santiagos are taking their fight to court.   He said the Department of Trade and Industry has been receiving similar complaints and is now coordinating with the Civil Aeronautics Board. CAB regulates the economic aspect of air transportation.   “The complaints will be addressed,” Lacierda said.   “Napag-usapan na po ‘yan kaya nga pinag-aaralan ngayon ng airport authorities kung ano ang magiging solution sa mga delayed na flights at nangyari sa offloading ng luggage. Pinag-aaralan po nila at i-imbestigahan ‘yung nangyari,” he added. —VS, GMA News