DOJ chief may inhibit self from talks on PAL row

If Philippine Airlines (PAL) officials ask for it, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she may inhibit herself from talks on the PAL row because her first cousin is one of the 25 pilots who resigned recently. 'If they [PAL management] would feel uncomfortable, I have no option but to recuse myself from participating in any of these dialogues," said De Lima at a news briefing on Thursday, adding that she had informed Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa about the matter. De Lima is among the Cabinet officials mediating between PAL and the 25 pilots, whose resignation triggered the cancellation and scheduling of flights in the recent days. She said she heard over the radio on Wednesday the name of her cousin, First Captain Emmanuel de Lima, as one of the pilots who resigned. On Tuesday, the flag-carrier said it resumed its normal operations despite the reduction of some flights. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda earlier said the deadlock between PAL and its pilots amy not be resolved within the week because the pilots have been bringing up more grievances as the dialogue progresses. He added that the government is seeking to get in touch with the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP), which is reportedly set to hold a strike this week.