PAL crisis cannot be resolved with takeover, Rep. Biazon says

By RIO ROSE RIBAYA
August 4, 2010, 2:45pm
Manila Bulletin

The government cannot resolve the crisis in the Philippine Airlines (PAL) with a takeover on the flag carrier unless the country is put under a state of emergency, Muntinlupa City Rep. Rodolfo Biazon said Wednesday.

The former senator advised the Aquino administration instead to exhaust other means in helping address the complaints of PAL pilots since there is no reason for declaring a state of emergency in the country. PAL walked out on their duties resulting to cancellation of flights since Saturday.
“You can only do that (takeover) under State of Emergency ,” Biazon said, noting that the hands of government are tied only to mediate talks between PAL officials and its pilots, flight attendants and employees.

Biazon explained that a takeover will only be possible if the PAL crisis escalates into a problem that would threaten national security, needing a declaration of state of emergency.

He also noted that the pilots, who refused to assume flying duties since over the weekend, cannot face charges of economic sabotage, saying that no one can deny the employees of their right to resign from work.
Accusing PAL owner Lucio Tan of bending labor laws to force its employees into appalling job conditions, Anakpawis party-list Rep. Rafael Mariano dared President Aquino to fight the flag carrier's "cronyism and uphold the rights of PAL employees."

"The issue of PAL goes beyond economic concerns. PAL pilots, flight crews and attendants are fighting for job security and protesting against the managements undue treatment of them - they don't even have an agreement to assert their demands and protect their ranks," Mariano said.

"President Noynoy Aquino and the PAL crisis team must take note of this and desist from being used by Tan and the PAL management to further enforce anti-worker corporate policies.

Meanwhile, Valenzuela Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo said that the House committee on labor and employment, which has been asked to look into the matter, will put off any inquiries in aid of legislation for a while until Malacañang settled the problem.

Gunigundo said that lawmakers in the House of Representatives are confident that President Aquino will be able to address the complaints of retrenchment and low benefits, which prompted 12 pilots to walk out of their flying duties.