Bautista Retires, Tan Takes Helm

21 June 2019

FFlag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is in management transition after President and COO Jaime J. Bautista retires on June 30.

Lucio “Bong” Tan Jr., vice chairman of PAL disclosed that his older sister Vivienne Tan has been appointed by his Dad Lucio Tan to take the helm from Bautista.

Tan Jr. who was recently appointed as Officer-In-Charge of the airline upon the retirement of Bautista—said his sister is “slowly” choosing the people who will help her run the airline.

Among them is Siegfred Mison, SVP for Legal, who was chosen to joined the new management team.

Bautista had spent some 26 years with PAL, 12 of which as its president and COO. Prior to being appointed president of PAL in 2004, Bautista started as the head of the company’s accounting division in 1993.

He is mainly credited with turning around the company from one under rehabilitation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 1999 to a formidable airline today.

Through the years, Bautista has successfully steered PAL through turbulent skies, enabling the flag carrier to hurdle challenging periods in its history, from labor strike of pilots, cabin crews and employees to financial problems.

Lucio Tan is said to have personally prevailed on Bautista to abandon his first retirement in 2012 and return to PAL in 2014.

Philippine Airlines pursued expansion programme during this period by adding four more B777-300ER to the fleet and ordering Airbus newest wide-body jets, the A350-900s to grow its profitable overseas route network.

The carrier also improved its service, securing it a 4-Star rating from Skytrax. It was also cited as the most improved airline in 2019.

He was a staunch advocate for foreign support for the airline's growth. In January, Japan’s ANA Holdings Inc acquired 9.5% of Philippine Airlines for $95 million to support its Asia growth strategy.

“Jimmy is an honest man. And he has done a great job in PAL,” says Tan Jr.

Jaime Bautista said that he had submitted his application for retirement “last month”.

“My retirement will be formally accepted on Monday (June 24) during the board meeting. I will formally retire on June 30, but if the turnover of the office is done earlier, I can just take a terminal leave.” He added.

On Thursday, Bautista was all smiles, seated beside Vivienne and Mison at a farewell lunch tendered in his honor. A photo of the moment was captured by Mison and posted on his Facebook account.

Philippine Airlines operates 98 aircraft, mostly Airbus jets, with a route network of more than 30 domestic and 40 international destinations.