House panel wants Lucio Tan in next PAL probe

The House committee on labor and employment will invite Philippine Airlines (PAL) chairman and CEO Lucio Tan to its next probe into the flag carrier’s supposed “discriminatory" labor practices. Akbayan party-list Rep. Walden Bello said in a hearing on Tuesday the business tycoon should personally appear before the committee to shed light on issues confronting the flag carrier, including the ongoing dispute between airline management and ground crew. The lawmaker also expressed dissatisfaction over answers given by PAL officials and lawyers present in the inquiry concerning airline workers’ compensation. “Hindi niyo ho nirerespeto ang congressional hearing na ito… This is such an important hearing, and you come here unprepared," he told the PAL representatives during the probe. Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) party-list Rep. Democrito Mendoza, who was presiding the hearing, meanwhile committed to send an invitation to Tan for the next hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. “We will endeavor, surely, to invite Mr. Tan. We will try to get him here," he said. The House panel is currently investigating issues hounding PAL and raised in eight resolutions filed by several lawmakers, including Bello. Tan’s presence is important for the lower chamber to draft a comprehensive bill against supposed discriminatory labor practices, noted Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño. “If PAL will be allowed to get away with this, every company in the country will be allowed to get away with this. We need to ensure that business in the Philippines is not thrown back to the Dark Ages," he said. — VS, GMA News