InsiderPH asked around and documents from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) showed that two Gulfstream aircraft are officially registered, not under Romualdez’s name, but under Philippine Airlines, Inc.
The certificates of registration, which cover a Gulfstream G550 (serial no. 5356) and a Gulfstream G150 (serial no. 259), list the Lucio Tan-owned airline as the sole owner and operator.
The airline’s Pasay City headquarters at the PNB Financial Center is recorded as the official address. Renewal receipts confirm that the jets’ registrations remain valid until 2029 and 2030, respectively.
This long range G550 was made in 2011 and was acquired by Philippine Airlines in 2016, according to online records. It can comfortably accommodate up to 19 passengers and fly direct from Manila to major European cities like Lisbon, Madrid, London, Paris, or Rome.
The smaller G150, meanwhile, is older, having been acquired by Philippine Airlines in 2008, according to records. It sits up to seven passengers (slightly less comfortably than its larger brother) and can fly direct from Manila to Tokyo, New Delhi, or Northern Australia.
The paperwork matters because the rumor mill has long linked the aircraft to Romualdez, citing his frequent travel and political stature. For months, hangar gossip painted a picture of multimillion-dollar planes at his disposal. However, as far as CAAP’s document trail goes, the Gulfstreams belong to the country’s flag carrier.
Why PAL would be tied to such luxury assets is another question. Industry insiders note that corporate jets often flew Tan around when he was still active in the day-to-day operations of his companies, and occasionally providing VIP transport for partners and stakeholders.
In the cutthroat world of Philippine business and politics, perception often outpaces paperwork. Official records say Philippine Airlines owns the Gulfstreams. But whether that silences the rumors remains up in the air.
Senior Reporter
