The offer of Cebu Pacific for refunds is not enough and they should be sanctioned for their continued dismal service, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said yesterday.

“ The refund is not enough, it is a means to quiet complaining passengers. There should be penalties for airlines who fail their passengers” Colmenares said in a press release from his office.

In a privilege speech in Congress the solon decried airline companies for excessive fares, delays and dismal service. Colmenares then called for an investigation of the airline companies as well as the Civil Aeronautics Board for failing to protect airline passengers, the press release said.

“CAB should not be allowed to escape accountability since dismal service has been going on for a long time,” he added.

He said he will file a resolution when Congress opens on Jan. 5 for the probe to immediately take place. He also said he thinks CAB should also be probed for not doing its duty to regulate these airlines and protect airline passengers.”

“Aside from the long queues, delayed flights and overbooking the resolution will probe Cancelled flights; Expensive rebooking fees and penalties but when it is the airlines who cancel or change schedules there are no penalties that refund the passengers.”

Another problem, particularly for Cebu Pacific passengers is that they offer a deceptively low initial base fare but in the end the fare shoots up due to big tax and surcharges that are even higher than that of Philippine Airlines. They also charge passengers with a web administration fee that is ridiculous, he said.

“It would be better if the Committee on Transportation would just call for a motu propio hearing to probe these issues during the break but if not, then I hope that it will immediately be scheduled on the resumption of sessions so that these airlines will improve their services,” Colmenares said.*

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