A reported 50-minute delay involving actress Assunta de Rossi has put airline name-matching policies under scrutiny.
A name discrepancy has sparked a public complaint against Philippine Airlines (PAL), after actress Assunta de Rossi was reportedly held for more than 50 minutes at Bacolod-Silay Airport while preparing to board a flight to Manila on Sunday, November 8.
Her husband, Negros Occidental First District Representative Jules Ledesma, called out the airline on social media over the incident, questioning why the difference between “Ma. Assunta” and “Maria Assunta” caused a boarding issue.
In his post, Ledesma argued that “Ma.” and “Maria” refer to the same name, describing the discrepancy as unreasonable. He also said the incident was not the first time his family had encountered a similar problem with PAL.
According to Ledesma, he and their daughter had also experienced issues involving the names on their travel documents and flight bookings. In his own case, he said his passport carried the name “Julio IV,” while the airline booking reflected “Julio Ramon Gerardo.”
He also recalled an earlier incident involving their six-year-old daughter, who was reportedly asked to present a physical passport or birth certificate at the Manila airport. The family allegedly had to arrange for the documents to be brought from their residence.
Ledesma further questioned a reported ₱1,000 boarding-counter fee, calling the charge unacceptable. He said he was considering a possible class-action lawsuit if the airline’s practice is found to be inconsistent with those of other carriers, noting that other passengers have reportedly raised similar concerns.
Can “Ma.” and “Maria” Be Used Interchangeably?
In common usage, “Ma.” is widely recognized as an abbreviation for “Maria.” However, that does not necessarily mean the two formats will automatically be accepted interchangeably in official records or airline bookings.
The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) advises passengers to book flights using the name as it appears on their identifying documents. It also recommends checking the ticket once issued and requesting corrections as early as possible, since last-minute corrections may involve fees or penalties. In some cases, a carrier’s station manager may decide whether a passenger can check in.
PAL’s published name-correction policy for travel agents, meanwhile, lists the addition of “Maria” or “Ma.” to a first name—and correcting “Ma.” to “Maria,” or vice versa—as a permitted correction, subject to the policy’s conditions and applicable fees. The policy lists a ₱1,000 fee for purely domestic travel in certain correction cases.
This indicates that the airline’s policy recognizes the difference as a correctable name variation. However, the policy does not necessarily mean passengers can assume the discrepancy will be resolved automatically at the airport.
For travelers, the safest approach remains to ensure that the name on the ticket follows the name on their passport or valid identifying document. Any discrepancy should be raised with the airline before the flight to avoid possible delays or complications at check-in.
PAL Responds to Ledesma’s Complaint
Following Ledesma’s public post, PAL reportedly responded on Facebook, saying it had reviewed the booking and the incident at its Bacolod station, including how its personnel handled the situation.
The airline expressed understanding of Ledesma’s frustration and said it would contact him directly by email.
The incident has renewed discussion around airline passenger handling, name discrepancies, and the need for clear and consistent policies—particularly when a difference in name format may refer to the same passenger.
While passengers are responsible for ensuring that their booking details are accurate, travelers may also expect clear guidance on what corrections are allowed, what fees apply, and how such concerns should be handled before boarding.
Inside the Metro will continue to monitor developments and update this story as more information becomes available.