Cebu Pacific VP quits

MANILA, Philippines – A high-ranking official of Cebu Pacific Air resigned amid controversies facing the budget carrier.

Juan Lorenzo “Jorenz” Tañada filed his resignation as vice president for corporate affairs at Cebu Pacific on December 16, 2014. It takes effect on Friday, January 30.

As former vice president for Cebu Pacific’s corporate affairs, Tañada represented the airline  “as counsel before various agencies of government,” according to his LinkedIn profile.

“The company now has an OIC, who has been with Cebu Pacific since 2008,” Tañada told Rappler in a phone interview on Monday, January 26.

Cebu Pacific has 8 vice presidential positions under its president and CEO Lance Gokongwei.

Tañada’s departure comes after Gokongwei apologized at a congressional hearing for the airline’s flight delays and cancellations during the holidays.

Gokongwei said the delays happened because many staff members were absent.

His explanation sparked negative reactions. Filipinos took to social media to say it is unacceptable.

Tañada clarified, however, that his resignation does not have anything to do with the recent controversies harrowing the airline company.

This is not the first time that Tañada relinquished a senior position.

Earlier in 2011, he served the Aquino administration as deputy commissioner at the Bureau of Customs, together with the agency’s former head, Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon.

They both stepped down from their posts in 2013. – Rappler.com