PAL board to tackle new strategies next week

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Airlines (PAL) board is set to meet next week to iron out strategies to be undertaken during its ongoing transition period, including the selection of the company’s next president.

Sources said a PAL board meeting has been scheduled on July 29 “to discuss issues” such as the process in selecting a new president.

Last week, PAL said that its chairman, tycoon Lucio Tan, would assume as the interim president of the company until a permanent president is approved by the board of directors.

Tan’s entry is expected to provide continuity during the airline’s transition period.

“This a temporary arrangement. This is an interim arrangement, with “Kapitan” as acting president and Vivienne Tan assisting in the day to day operations. This is happening in the interim, while PAL management and the board have yet to announce the selection of a new president,” one source said.

The source said PAL is looking for “somebody with exceptional management skills” as its next president.

PAL last held a board meeting on June 24, when it approved the request for retirement of Jaime Bautista as PAL president and COO.

PAL has been on the lookout for a new president and chief operating officer following the retirement of Bautista, which became effective on June 30.

As a result of Bautista’s retirement, Tan’s daughter, Vivienne, was appointed as the firm’s officer-in-charge. Vivienne is still PAL’s current executive vice president, treasurer, and chief administrative officer.

International air transport rating organization Skytrax last month has ranked PAL as the top 30 airline in the world, soaring 19 spots from 49th in 2018.

A source said the company is keen on sustaining and even improving its ranking. “We are already number 30, and there’s changing of the guards. That is why we want continuity,” the source said.