BIZ BUZZ: D-Day for Cebu Pacific
All eyes will be on Cebu Pacific today as the airline faces a Senate inquiry on the recent spate of passenger complaints caused primarily by supply chain problems with Pratt & Whitney, the US-based manufacturer of jet engines for its Airbus fleet.
Naturally, politicians will not likely be easily swayed by the Gokongwei-controlled budget carrier’s explanation that the numerous flight delays and cancellations are beyond its control.
Lawmakers will probably want their figurative pound of flesh and castigate the airline along the usual lines of “greed at the expense of the poor passenger.”
But last Monday, Cebu Pacific management sent an open letter to its staff explaining the situation to them to help them understand the complicated situation.
“We understand that it is our responsibility as a public service to manage these external issues and deliver on our customer promise to provide the public access to affordable and reliable flights,” read the letter signed by CEO Mike Szucs and president Xander Lao.
“We also aim to keep passengers informed, especially when there are changes to their flights, so our passengers are able to make alternative plans,” they added. “Unfortunately, the unprecedented issues we face have made it difficult to deliver on the customer promise and for this, we are deeply sorry.”
The big question is … will the politicians keep open minds? Or will the airline’s explanations fall flat? Abangan!
—Daxim L. Lucas
‘ABS-GMA’ alliance strengthens
GMA Network Inc. will soon be the home of ABS-CBN Corp.’s popular noontime show “It’s Showtime” after the Kapamilya network declined an afternoon time slot offer from TV5, which is making way for TVJ’s (Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon) new show instead.
To recall, TVJ—who were instrumental in making “Eat Bulaga” a household staple—has entered into an agreement with TV5 to produce content after leaving TV production company TAPE Inc. due to a falling out.
“We value the meaningful relationship we have built and nurtured with our audience in the noontime slot. It is for this reason that we have respectfully declined the 4:30 p.m. timeslot offered by TV5 for the show,” ABS-CBN said in a statement on Tuesday.
ABS-CBN expressed its gratitude to TV5 for bringing its flagship show to a wider audience, especially after losing its free TV franchise back in 2020.
Starting July 1, the show hosted by celebrities Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Vhong Navarro and Jhong Hilario, among others, will be aired on GMA’s GTV Channel. Viewers can also catch them on A2Z, Kapamilya Online Live, iWantTFC and TFC at noon.
This new programming movement is among the latest collaborations of once fierce rivals.
—Tyrone Jasper C. Piad
Trade leader’s FB hacked
It seems that not even business leaders are immune to unscrupulous individuals hacking personal accounts on social media sites to scam people.
During the recent general membership meeting of the Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa), the organization’s president, Fe Abling-Yu, said her Facebook (FB) account was recently hacked, with the perpetrator soliciting money from her connections on the social media site.
“We will go to the [National Bureau of Investigation] and the [Philippine National Police] to ask for help in tracing the tracker,” Abling-Yu told Biz Buzz.
The Philtoa official said that she has yet to regain control of her Facebook account, unable to login due to password problems.
Still, Abling-Yu said she hopes authorities can still help her retrieve her account. She also said that she has never asked for money or made solicitations through Facebook in the past, nor does she plan to do it in the future, warning the public and association members not to accommodate any such message requests in the platform.
