Duterte blames Congress’ failure to pass budget on time for ongoing traffic woes

MANILA, Philippines — As time ticks to the end of 2019, what happened to President Rodrigo Duterte’s promise back in June to solve traffic problems this year?

“Because Congress did not pass the budget on time so apektado lahat,” Duterte said when he was asked this question in an interview with CNN Philippines on Friday night.

“When there is no public spending, your economy will slow down. Kailangan,  [the government] will spend, so that the private sector will ride on it,” he continued.

Duterte signed the 2019 national budget only in April this year as it experienced delays due to alleged insertions and questionable allocations.

For the 2020 budget, Duterte said he hopes that the budget be submitted in December.

Duterte then called on the Congress: “Congress paki naman.”

Among Duterte’s promises were to make travel time from Makati to Cubao in southern Quezon City only 5 minutes.