Purchase of new presidential aircraft pushed

MANILA, Philippines - The House opposition bloc pressed yesterday for the acquisition of new aircraft for President Aquino to replace the aging airplanes in the presidential fleet. “You cannot put a price tag on the President’s security,” House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez said.

“If they (administration lawmakers) don’t want to be criticized, then we in the opposition will push for this (purchase of new presidential aircraft).”

“If the President is worried about possible criticism, these (aircraft) will be used by his successors and succeeding Cabinet officials as well,” he said.

Suarez said the opposition has proposed the re-fleeting of the presidential wing in the past and the death of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo in a plane crash prompted them to revive their proposal.

The 250th Presidential Airlift Wing based in Villamor Air Base in Pasay City handles the air transport of the President. 

The presidential fleet is comprised of two Fokker planes – one turboprop and one jet – and about three to four aging and repainted Bell helicopters. 

“The airplanes are nearly half a century old and Fokker has closed down so there are no more spareparts,” Suarez said.

Several officials died when a helicopter crashed during the Arroyo administration.

Suarez suggested that Malacañang buy four planes – two jets and two turboprops – and two helicopters.

The entire package could cost about $80 million, he said.

“They’re cheap... we can just include that in the budget,” he said.

The two propeller-driven aircraft can be used for local sorties while the two jets would be flown for both local and regional flights.

He said the pairing of the aircraft are necessary since there would be downtime or periodic maintenance work on the aircraft and at any time, at least two planes must be ready for presidential use.