Malacañang confirmed to buy a new Jet for GMA

[samsungster]

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Malacañang confirmed on Friday that it is looking to purchase a new jet, which will be used by President Arroyo and her successors. Presidential spokesman for economic affairs Gary Olivar said Malacañang is shopping around for a fixed-wing aircraft that will be used for the President during her travels.

"It's merely a purchase that would benefit not just the President but her successors. The President does not own a fixed-wing aircraft that she can use in travels to parts of the country and abroad," Olivar told reporters. An ad placed by the Office of the President in the Philippine Star said the aircraft must be a "factory new, twin-engine (turbo-fan engines), pressurized, fitted with auxiliary power unit, and with VIP cabin configuration." It said the type of aircraft to be offered should have been used as a VIP/Executive aircraft by the country of origin and by at least two countries.

Olivar said the Presidential Airlift Wing has two fixed-wing aircraft, an F-28 and F-27, that are 29 and 50 years old, respectively, and difficult to maintain. "The PAW believes that they need at least two fixed-wing jets for presidential visits, one primary and one back-up. Right now, there is only one available, the F-28, and [President Arroyo] charters civilian aircraft for her airlift requirement. This can be very costly and poses high security risk," Olivar said.

The presidential spokesman said there are several challenges to using chartered aircraft for the President's trips. For one, he said there is limited opportunity to check the aircraft before the President uses it. He said the aircraft is controlled by civilian pilots and crew while PAW pilots sit as co-pilots, which could lead to lapses in procedure. Finally, he said the President needs to have exclusive use of the aircraft.

"These are basically questions of security and cost. Contrary to what people are saying, the President is concerned about cost that is why this airplane is being considered for purchase not for her use only because she will only be here six to seven months but for the benefit of the lucky persons who will succeed her in office," he said.

Palace: Yes, we're buying a new jet | ABS-CBN News Online Beta

[grovestreet]

pwede ipasakay tanan politicians ani niya ipa-crash. hehe jowk.

[korg17]

makes sense. chartered flights are indeed more expensive in the long run, and besides if you hate GMA, its already the last few months of her term, and the bidding + purchase + delivery will take months so she would probably be able to use it for only a month or two. and it would be the next presidents who would benefit more from this.

[radiostar]

palparan + katong bisaya sa anad + gma and her cronies nya ipa crash yey!

[icon_king]

kani iyang i palit ug jet iya pani i taabang sa pobre may pa unta kaayo paminawon...

[haroldjizdeortega]

do-ol raman ang mga island sa pilipinas nganu kenahanglan pa mag jet si tita??!

[vahnhelsing]

ok buy one but be sure nga lay kurakot ha.... pero and eroplano dapat 20 seater ra...kay ug dako, sus pwerte kadaghan sa manguyog.... samot nag europe or us ang adtoan....



budget 1.2 billion!!!! grabe ah... cge tagaan chance, but be sure 1.2 jud ang real price hap!!!!!

[garavannz]

hahay kaluoy sa pilipinas... binlan napud tag utang ani for sure..

[cute_6423]

palit..nya knang mga nangayo increase sa pork barrel psakyon, butangan bomba ang eroplano, d gni psakyan og mga abusayaf..pa crash!solved n ang usa sa mga dagkong problema sa pilipinas

[juleskiboi]

well im not surprised! ang bag-o lang guro ani is that niangkon sila nga mugasto jd diay sila for that...heheheh...yea, chartered flights are expensive baya, then mangaon pa na sila ug mahal...hehehehe...