After making headlines for more than a week, the news item about two children with special needs and their mothers who were forced to disembark from a Cebu Pacific plane is quieting down.
The story had all the ingredients of a perfect storm. It drew the kind of attention that it deserved. More than basic consumer rights, it touched on human rights, especially the rights of children.
Not surprisingly, various groups scored Cebu Pacific for its discriminatory actions. But what surprised me was the airline’s reaction to the scandal. It would have been so easy for the airline to put the entire blame on the erring employees—the Filipino colloquial term “laglag” being the perfect word to describe the action. They could have had a team of lawyers and spokesperson to mouth the worn-out argument that the individual actions and lapses in judgment of our staff cannot be held against the company. But they chose not to. Cebu Pacific actually owned up to its employees’ fault, apologized for it, and took conciliatory measures.
At least, some companies understand the legal principle of apparent authority as a rule that applies to situations such as the Cebu Pacific gaffe. Apparent authority states that a principal is responsible for the acts of its agents.
***
Sad to say, some firms cannot seem to grasp this concept of apparent authority either out of ignorance or malice. Recently, a hornet’s nest the size of Switzerland was stirred when a top multinational was assailed by its Central Luzon distributors for failing to prevent a billion-peso scam perpetrated by one of its high-ranking officials.
My gulay, what makes matters worse is that the architect of the foul scheme seems to have operated in plain sight, acting in her capacity as the regional sales manager of the multinational.
This manager allegedly instructed her distributors to give preferential discounts to the tune of 12-percent in favor of one particular reseller, Company X. The distributors were stumped on how they could possibly do that, since the maximum discount they could give was only 4-percent. Not to worry, the manager said, who wrote them letters using the company’s letterhead, promising that the multinational would cover the difference. And since the manager was a well-decorated and high-ranking employee, they complied.
Company X’s goods now acquired at an illogically cheap rate, all it had to do was go to a consumer area in Metro Manila and undersell all other distributors. Pretty soon, retail outlets were almost exclusively ordering from Company X at the expense of other Metro Manila distributors. Santa Banana, don’t forget that all these distributors were supposedly part of the same team!
The Metro Manila and Central Luzon distributors felt antsy. The multinational refused to investigate, and after months of reassurances, not a single centavo of discount reimbursements came.
***
They say hindsight is 100-percent accurate, but even the smallest of due diligence could have prevented the financial collapse of countless distributors.
My gulay, didn’t the multinational wonder how a previously-unheard of reseller could have come to Metro Manila and taken royal customers away from existing distributors? Based on figures submitted, didn’t the multinational question how a company could sell items for so low?
Ultimately, I feel that it is the legal principle of apparent authority that will put the case to rest. Even if the manager acted on her own as claimed, the law doesn’t favor the cop-out (palusot). The distributors are set to file a class-action against the multinational, where the buck should stop.
Posts
You're going to need healthy foods that burn fat and are easily prepared. Sprints on the beach or bodyweight workouts at the park are great ways to add spice into your workouts while combining, family, fitness and fun. With The weight loss programs, you're able to do
ReplyDeleteaway with crunches & sit-ups ever, also you'll never again have to worry about the side effects of these fake fat burning pills that do nothing for you then cause you more problems. To help you reach your weight loss goals, Jillian Michaels Maximum Strength Fat Burner increases lipolysis to help your body remove unwanted fat.
Check out my website ... fat burning foods list for men
It is less flashy because of a smaller single diamond, but still
ReplyDeleteelegant on the finger and of which your lady can weary
comfortably. Celtic tungsten bands: Celtic tungsten carbide bands are the classic carbide ring
styling with a meaningful twist. A high quality cut diamond could
have facets angled to reflect the greatest quantity
of mild.
Here is my web site - promise rings engagement rings
Women, if a man gives you a promise ring, be cautious. So just who in Hollywood
ReplyDeleteis wearing a promise ring these days. Some of those good reasons involve:
loved ones beliefs, individual beliefs, desire to avoid the hazards of STDs and pregnancy.
Feel free to visit my website ... web site ()
Alternatively, you are able to use a combination of honey and
ReplyDeleteoatmeal to help remedy acne. Based on affordable survival
training , an apple each day can keep acne away. Sometimes you
may should test products for just two to 3 weeks to essentially know if
it is going to get beneficial or not. Although it can be helpful in certain
situations such as giving a player edge in competitive sport and
potentially life saving, the exposure to stress hormones could be
devastating in your health as time passes.
Also visit my web blog ... acne 7 years