ILOCOS Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas on Sunday warned Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific to address complaints about expensive air fares and delayed flights against them and warned that Congress will review their franchises.
“Every week I am your client. I have a downtime maybe once a week,” the House majority leader said.
“I have been wasting a minimum of two to five hours. Tell your corporate bosses that I will review your franchise. We can amend your franchise anytime. You make a killing, and we are at your mercy. You have been taking advantage of the riding public.”
Fariñas reminded PAL and Cebu Pacific that their franchises had been granted to them by the Filipino people through their representatives in Congress.
“You have been operating because your bosses, the sovereign Filipino people, have allowed you to do so,” Fariñas said.
“Don’t take advantage of us. Your enterprise is imbued with public interest. Wake up and shape up.”
Fariñas and other lawmakers aired the warning to PAL and Cebu Pacific during the recent hearing of the committee on transportation led by Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento.
The committee earlier summoned representatives of concerned government agencies and the airlines to explain their expensive tickets and delayed flights.
The committee called for an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the so-called “excessive and opportunistic” airfares collected by the major airlines, particularly PAL and Cebu Pacific.
‘‘Riding an airplane is meant to be convenient and time-efficient,” Sarmiento said.
“Recent developments, however, show that air travel is not how it was envisioned to be. Today, it has become a reality for everyone, everyone who can handle the possibility of inconvenience; everyone who can face the risk of long delays; and everyone who can afford the high price of tickets,” Sarmiento said.