Gaisanos eye case vs PAL after scion got hurt in flight

CEBU, Philippines - The Gaisanos are contemplating on filing a complaint against flag carrier Philippine Airlines after a minor member of the family suffered second degree burns during a Bangkok-Manila flight last month.

An attempt at damage control by airline president Jaime Bautista did not go well after he allegedly set as condition that he would only see the Gaisanos, especially the child, between 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on March 10, as he had to return to Manila at 11 a.m.

Lawyer Baldomero Estenzo said Eddie Gaisano, the child’s grandfather, was especially angry over what Bautista did.

 “If they really are sincere in asking for an apology they cannot order the Gaisano family to meet them (PAL) at their own sweet time and convenience,” Estenzo said.

He narrated that last February 22, while onboard PAL flight 731, the child of Glenn Sebastian and Valerie Gaisano was given by a flight attendant very hot water when what they asked was lukewarm water.

The child did not expect that the container would be hot so that he accidentally spilled the water on her leg and thigh.  Estenzo said not one crew allegedly assisted the family and the injured child on their way to the immigration office after deplaning.

Dr. Richard La Verne Enecilla of St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City has certified that the child suffered second degree burns in the leg and at the front portion of the left thigh.

The Gaisanos said the incident caused trauma and moral suffering to them, especially to the child.

Estenzo said that on February 23, on behalf of the family, he wrote a letter to Bautista asking the company to immediately do something to avoid the inconvenience of court litigation.

“Without any doubt, the damage done to my client’s daughter of tender age has caused serious physical, emotional and psychological trauma to the grandparents and the child, which entitles them to legal remedies for the injury suffered,” read Estenzo’s letter to Bautista.

Last March 5, Bautista wrote back expressing “regrets” over what happened and assured that PAL management would take the matter seriously.

On March 6, Philippine Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Shirley Ho-Vicario sent Estenzo a text message informing him that Bautista was coming to Cebu to see the family on March 10.

Bautista, though, made the Gaisanos angry instead by allegedly telling the family that he would only be seeing them between 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Estenzo said they would be “constrained to file an action in court for the protection of the child” should PAL not give the matter immediate attention and action. — (FREEMAN)