MALACAÑANG welcomed yesterday the possible additional investments into Philippine Airlines by either San Miguel’s Ramon S. Ang or PLDT chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said new investments in PAL would mean improved services to the riding public .

Lacierda reacted to the announcement by PAL chairman and chief executive Lucio Tan  that he will sell the flagship carrier "at the right price."

"We welcome the additional investment of whoever would like to buy PAL because it would mean additional investments to the country. Considering that PAL is our national brand, the additional investments would improve the branding of our national carrier. Additional investments would mean improved services," he said, in a text message.

Tan earlier told reporters that he was talking to the top executives of conglomerate San Miguel Corp. and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) for the possible sale of the struggling flagship carrier. PAL is 94% owned by PAL Holdings Inc., led by Tan.

“Again, our concern, primary concern is we don’t want the riding public to be inconvenienced. Again, as to the details, we still don’t know what this announcement of Mr. Lucio Tan would entail—sino ang kausap and what are the terms, we are not privy to that yet.” Lacierda said , referring to the reported PAL sale.