Palace on Binay’s sermon on MRT-3 : Look who’s talking?
A PALACE official said that the challenge of Vice President Jejomar Binay to make government officials accountable for the problems in the Metro Rail Transit-3 is questionable as the vice president continues to skirt from responding to corruption charges filed against him.
In a text message to reporters, presidential spokesperson Erwin Lacierda maintained that Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and MRT 3 general manager Al Vitangcol III have already appeared before the Senate hearing on the MRT 3.
“The Department of Transportation and Communications will answer all the technical responses. On Sec. Jun Abaya, to my recollection, has appeared before the Senate Committee headed by Sen. Grace Poe. My recollection also included Mr. Vitangcol. Can you refresh me if Vice President Binay has appeared before the Senate to answer all allegations of corruption against him?” Lacierda said in a statement.
The presidential spokesperson issued the response after Binay, who attended a mass wedding event in Parañaque City Monday, lamented that the problems in the train system have inconvenienced commuters. He also asked why the Aquino administration is not procuring additional train coaches.
On his part, Abaya said that issues on the MRT 3 are technical and does not need to be solved through politics.
“MRT 3 issues are technical in nature. Technical issues cannot be solved by political statements,” Abaya said.
The Transportation secretary said that Binay never approached the government agency to air his comments on the problems of the overburdened train system.
“VP Binay never approached us to convey his comments, recommendations, and solutions to rail issues. I have always remained approachable and always kept an open mind for any ideas. Not once did he bother to discuss rail issues with me,” he said.
Abaya lamented that the statements of Binay were made to gain political mileage as the 2016 elections draw near.
“[It is] very unfortunate for a former member of the Presidential family to be having such a mindset and psyche. Malapit na talaga ang 2016 (The 2016 elections are near),” he added. AC
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