PGMA wants a new executive jet

Saturday, 15 August 2009 10:34 AM Maui Hermitanio

Malacanang is reportedly shopping for a new presidential executive jet worth P1.2B according to gmanews.tv.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo only has about nine months in office but the Palace said the procurement "will also benefit the next Presidents after her."

The Office of the President (OP) Bids and Awards Committee posted in the Philippine Star the required specifications of the prospective aircraft as "factory new, twin-engine (turbo-fan engines), pressurized, fitted with auxiliary power unit, and with VIP cabin configuration.

"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."

Tribune.net.ph noted that among the features of the new jet would be "the new avionics system which provides all pertinent information about weather, terrain, traffic and other factors that may affect the safety of the aircraft and its passengers."

In a press briefing, Malacanang further justified the need to purchase a new presidential jet as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had been "chartering commercial airlines for the past eight years" and "it's about time President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo procured another executive jet for her and successors' travels," according to inquirer.net.

In a statement, the OP said "it is only fitting and proper that whosoever is the sitting President should be afforded proper amenities befitting his/her position as the head of State."

It added that Presidential Airlift Wings (PAW) including fixed wing F-28 and F-27 are "old" and difficult to maintain."

This proposal from Malacanang will be definitely met with criticisms as her foreign travels and lavish spending including expensive dinners at Le Cirque and Bobby Van's Steakhouse are being questioned.

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