MRTH | May 13, 2016

What is in store for the MRT and its passengers? Few days after the national elections, MRT Holdings Chairman Robert Sobrepeña held a press conference last Friday, May 13, 2016 at a hotel in Mandaluyong City.

What is in store for the MRT and its passengers? Few days after the

What is in store for the MRT and its passengers? Few days after the...


By Patricia Lourdes Viray | Philstar.com | August 3, 2015

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday hit the faulty operations of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) in his own version of the state of the nation address (SONA).

 The vice president delivered what he called was the "true SONA" in response to President Benigno Aquino III's final SONA last week.

In his speech, Binay claimed that the mastermind behind the DAP was "untouchable."

"Ayon sa mga ekspertong sumuri sa DAP, sa bawat pisong ginastos ng DAP isang sentimo lamang ang para sa mahirap. Malinaw na ang DAP ang pinakamatingkad na halimbawa ng pagwawaldas sa pondo ng bayan sa ating kasaysayan," Binay said.

The Supreme Court has earlier ruled that the DAP was unconstitutional.

"Saan kinuha ang pondo para sa DAP? Ito ay inagaw sa pondo na nakalaan sana sa pagpaayos ng airports, pag-aayos ng MRT, pagpapatayo ng mga eskwelahan, mga kalsada at tulay," Binay explained.

Binay insisted that the Aquino administration is refusing to hold the proponents of the DAP accountable since they are the president's allies.

"Iba ang trato sa kalaban sa pulitika, iba naman para sa kapartido at kaalyado," Binay said.

The vice president also called on the Palace to respect Congress as a co-equal branch of government in relation to the passage of the proposed BBL. He claimed that the Palace is forcing Congress to pass the proposed measure.

Binay also noted that the proposed BBL should adhere to the Constitution and suggested that stakeholders should be consulted in drafting the bill.

"Isipin na lang natin ang maaaring mangyari sakaling ang bersyon ng BBL na gustong ipasa ng administrasyon ay ibasura naman ng Korte Suprema. Hindi ba't 'yan ang maaring magdulot ng gulo at maging hadlang sa matagal nating inaasam na kapayapaan sa Mindanao?" Binay asked.

The vice president also slammed the faulty operations of the MRT, noting that the Department of Transportation and Communication was given around P5 billion budget for its repair which has not yet started.

"Ang sigaw ng mga pasahero: Lagi kaming late sa trabaho. Ang sigaw ng MRT: 'Eto ang excuse letter. Ang daing ng pasahero: Ayusin ang serbisyo. Ang sagot ng Palasyo: Kung ayaw ninyo sa MRT, mag-bus na kayo," Binay said.

Binay also blamed the current administration for replacing MRT's experienced maintenance provider for a newly registered maintenance firm.

The vice president claimed that Aquino failed to report the real state of the nation during his latest SONA.

On the other hand, the president defended his SONA and insisted that he gave the true state of the country.


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