Panelo tells public to ‘be creative’ as he rides jeepney to Malacañang

MANILA, Philippines — As he rode the jeepney to Malacañan Palace on Friday, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo stood by his controversial “no mass transport crisis” remark insisting that Filipinos only need to be “creative” to beat Metro Manila’s monstrous traffic jams.

READ: Metro Manila now suffering a mass transport crisis – Bayan

“Ang punto ko lang dun (My only point is) we are very creative people. When we’re confronted with a situation na (that is) hostile, we adjust. ‘Yan ang pagka-malikhain ng Pilipino (That’s Filipino ingenuity),” Panelo said in an interview with radio dzBB while on his third jeepney ride to Manila from Marikina.

He also reiterated that the capital region has no traffic “paralysis” as commuters could still go to their destination, emphasizing that the riding public should wake up early to avoid being late to work.

READ: Commute challenge: Panelo rides jeepney on way to Malacañang

President Rodrigo Duterte’s mouthpiece, who refused to divulge his exact location while being interviewed, admitted he had a hard time waiting for a ride and that he experienced heavy traffic. He said he left at 5:15 a.m. and aims to arrive at the Palace by 9:00 a.m.

“Matagal ako bago nakasakay kasi puno eh, palaging puno,” he said, adding that it took him five, 10, and 20-35 minutes to hail three different jeepneys.

Panelo has yet to arrive at Malacañang, as of this posting.

It was Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Secretary-General Renato Reyes Jr. who concluded of a “mass transport crisis” in Metro Manila because of the power glitch and the mechanical issue the MRT-3 and LRT-1 faced last October 2 and 3, respectively. A burning power rectifier also paralyzed the operations of the LRT-2 last October 3.

READ: Palace: No mass transport crisis yet in Metro Manila

/kga