Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo rides a jeepney on Friday, October 11, 2019, as he accepted Anakbayan’s dare for him to commute to Malacañang in Manila amid an alleged “mass transport crisis” gripping Metro Manila. Contributed photo
MANILA, Philippines — Commuters who happened to travel with presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Friday morning expressed dismay with the delays caused by the media coverage of his so-called “commute challenge.”
Several students voiced their frustration over being late as media tried to get the side of Panelo, who was chanced upon by reporters in Cubao, Quezon City as the jeepney he was riding en route to Pureza in Manila stopped.
“Of course we commuters were affected, we are in a hurry to reach our destinations,” a female commuter, who does not want to be identified, said in Filipino. “Our trips have been delayed because of him.”
“He (Panelo) is not the only passenger here who should be considered, because of him the jeep stops, how about us who are also in a hurry? Some of us have classes to attend to, while some have jobs,” she also pointed out.
At one point, another student asked the driver to have Panelo leave the jeepney so that the trip could continue.
One motorcycle rider who saw the media covering the Palace official’s commute said he should ride a crowded jeepney for him to experience the struggle Filipinos go through each day.
“There, the Secretary experienced the struggles of commuting. But he was riding a spacious jeepney and it was a new model. He should ride a crowded one, where you will perspire due to the heat,” the rider, who requested anonymity, said in Filipino.
JUST IN: Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo leaves Cubao riding a jeepney en route to Pureza in Manila. Commuters riding the jeepney with him however complained of being late due to delays @inquirerdotnet
— Gabriel P. Lalu (@GabrielLaluINQ) October 11, 2019
One student, who appeared visibly frustrated, asked the driver to let Panelo alight the jeepney so that the trip could continue. @inquirerdotnet
— Gabriel P. Lalu (@GabrielLaluINQ) October 11, 2019
Panelo completed his commute in almost four hours — riding at least four jeepneys from Concepcion in Marikina City to Malacañang complex, where a motorcycle rider offered him a ride.
He was dared by militant group Anakbayan to commute on his way to work after he refuted the claims of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Secretary-General Renato Reyes Jr., who said that Metro Manila is suffering from a mass transport crisis. Panelo said that there is no crisis since commuters are still able to reach their destinations.
Earlier, Panelo said that commuters should be creative to beat mass transportation problems like heavy traffic flow and long queues.
READ: Panelo tells public to ‘be creative’ as he rides jeepney to Malacañang
/kga
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