House minority backs purchase of new planes for PNoy, cabinet officials

MANILA — To ensure their safety, the President and his cabinet should have new planes dedicated for their use. 

That is one lesson that might be gleaned from the tragic crash that ended the life of Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, as far as minority members of the House of Representatives are concerned. 

House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said the government needs at least six new aircrafts—one regional jet, one jet for local travel, two propeller-driven aircrafts (1 Queen Air and 1 King Air), and two helicopters.

The new planes will cost around $85 milion (roughly P3.6 billion). Suarez insists, however, “We should not put a tag price in the security of our leaders.”

Suarez said planes making up the fleet of aircraft and helicopters that the Airlift Wing of the Philippine Air Force maintains to provide air transport for the President and the First Family are mostly older than Aquino.

“We are expressing our concern for the safety of the President and his family because, as we are all aware, our country does not have a dedicated Presidential plane and he takes chartered flights for official travel,” Suarez, a close ally of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said. 

He adds that the new aircraft will also benefit political leaders after Aquino’s term.

There have been attempts to get the purchase of new planes funded during the time of President Arroyo, according to Suarez. Back in August 2009, for instance, there was a plan to purchase a presidential jet. The order  was cancelled after the public reacted negatively to the purchase.

The House minority bloc also asked the government to review all modes of public transportation following Robredo’s death.

Robredo’s remains were recovered Tuesday inside the private plane which crashed off the coast of Masbate on Saturday afternoon, August 18.  

Robredo was on his way home to visit his family in Naga City. – Rappler.com