Well, we did some digging around — actual sleuthing and not just speculating — so you don’t have to.
First, the basic incontestable facts: the aircraft used was a Gulfstream G550 business jet with Philippine registry number RP-C5219. That’s its equivalent of a plate number on an automobile, if you will.
According to data from Flightradar24, this particular aircraft is 17 years old, having been manufactured in 2008.
On Tuesday night, social media posts started circulating suggesting that the aircraft that will be used for this special delivery is owned by San Miguel Corp. chair and CEO Ramon Ang.
It is, of course, easy to ride on that speculation given the billionaire tycoon’s love for all things aviation-related, not to mention the fact that he owns the largest fleet of private planes (both fixed- and rotary-winged aircraft) in the Philippines.
But something was off about these rumors. For one, the color of the plane was wrong, as Ang tends to favor another, more auspicious color for his jets.
And just to be sure, we asked our friends at San Miguel about the provenance of the aircraft. “Not ours,” was the quick reply.
Then there’s the other wealthy individual who is said to own the mystery plane, if hushed and disappearing private messages shared on instant messaging apps were to be believed: businessman-turned-lawmaker Zaldy Co, supposedly.
So we asked, and the reply came in the form of an official statement from his staff:
“Please be advised that the jet plane with tail number RP-C5219 which carried former President Rodrigo Duterte to The Netherlands is NOT owned by Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co. Social media posts claiming otherwise are FALSE,” the statement read. “We urge the public and media to be more discerning, to verify with proper authorities, and be responsible in sharing information to avoid the spread of false or unverified claims.”
We believe Rep. Co, if you guys are wondering. One look at its livery and color and… that’s definitely not his plane.
Whose is it then? Based on local records, the plane is registered to a Pacific Asian Pearl Airways Inc. But getting to the personality behind that is difficult, as these corporate layers are designed precisely to protect the identity of the wealthy individuals who value their privacy and security.
Well.. word among the aviation industry cognoscenti is that the plane was, as of last year, owned by another billionaire taipan who also has a number of planes and helicopters in his private fleet.
But this captain of industry (in Tagalog… uhmm… Kapitan ng industriya?) is advancing in age and has since relinquished the day-to-day running of his empire to a young scion who isn’t big on planes. In fact, their helicopter fleet is gathering dust, we hear.
So, seeing that it’s not being used as much, perhaps they’ve sold this particular Gulfstream jet since? To another wealthy politician perhaps? Watch this space, folks.
Senior Reporter
