If Duterte fixes transport woes, he ‘deserves to be president for life’—Lacson

MANILA, Philippines — For being “superhuman,” President Rodrigo Duterte could be “president for life” but only if he delivers on two of his promises.

Those promises are to cut down the travel time to Makati from Cubao to five minutes and to eliminate flight delays at the country’s main air gateway, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).

This was according to Senator Panfilo Lacson when sought for comment on Duterte’s promise to address the traffic problem by reducing the travel tom from Cubao to Makati to only five minutes.

“If PRRD (Duterte’s initials) delivers on just these two promises, (1) to cut travel time from Cubao to Makati to 5 minutes within 6 months and; (2) to eliminate flight delays in NAIA within one month, for being superhuman, he deserves to be president for life,” Lacson said in a text message on Monday.

Duterte, in an interview over the weekend, said that before yearend, people might no longer have to worry about traffic.

“You just wait. Ayaw ko mag-ano but things will improve; maybe, God willing [in] December, smooth sailing na,” he said.

“You don’t have to worry about traffic. Cubao and Makati is just about five minutes away,” he added.

While he welcomed Duterte’s plan, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III wonders how the Chief Executive would do it.

“Sounds good but I have no idea how yet,” Sotto said in a separate text message.

In a surprise inspection at Naia this Monday morning, the President also discussed with authorities about minimizing flight aberrations as passengers complained about flight delays and cancellations after a lightning alert was issued Sunday.

READ: Duterte conducts surprise Naia inspection, apologizes for flight woes

Lacson has repeatedly aired his sentiments on these issues as he himself experienced being stuck on the road because of traffic, and also at the airport due to air traffic congestion. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)

READ: Lacson shares experience waiting 4 hours for flight