Solon blames traffic on court that stopped Edsa provincial bus ban
MANILA, Philippines — 1-Pacman party-list Rep. Michael Romero, the richest member of the House, has blamed Edsa’s traffic on a Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC), which earlier stopped the roll-out of the provincial bus ban on the major thoroughfare.
“Eh dapat ang sisihin natin sa traffic ‘yung nagbigay ng injuction na ‘yan whether sa Court of Appeals ‘yan o sa RTC…” Romero said during the Tuesday hearing of the Metro Manila development committee.
(We should blame the traffic on the one who issued the injunction whether that’s before the Court of Appeals or an RTC…)
“‘Cause I think dapat kasama ‘to sa minumura ni Presidente eh. Because you know, pinapahirapan nila ‘yung trabaho ng MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) eh,” he added.
(‘Cause I think the President should also be cursing them. Because you know, they’re making the work of the MMDA harder.)
The billionaire port tycoon also asked the panel to seek the executive branch’s help in “prohibiting” temporary restraining orders (TROs) against the programs of MMDA. The issuance of TROs as well as injunctions, however, is within the legal powers of the courts in the country.
“And if masasama sa report natin, sa committe, we’d like to ask also help from the executive branch na ipagbawal na ‘tong mga TRO on the implementation of the rules and regulation by MMDA,” Romero said.
(And if this could be included in our committee report, we’d like to ask also help from the executive branch to prohibit these kinds of TRO on the implementation of the rules and regulation by MMDA.)
“Kailangan ipagbawal na natin ‘yan eh… Bakit ba pinapatulan ito ng RTC eh, because ba mas maraming pera sa ‘tin ang mga bus liners, ganyan ba?” he asked.
(We should ban this already… Why are the RTCs acting on these, is it because the bus liners have more money than us?)
MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said they are also hoping for the lifting of the preliminary injunction issued by Quezon City RTC Branch 223 in July this year against the provincial bus ban on Edsa.
The controversial regulation was supposed to prohibit provincial buses from plying along Edsa and move provincial buses’ loading and unloading zone to the two integrated terminals in Santa Rosa, Laguna, for those coming from the south, and Valenzuela City for those from the north.
The dry run of the policy started on April 23 but MMDA suspended it on May 6, with traffic chief Edison Nebrija admitting it still needs further review and studies.
Also discussed during the briefing were bills institutionalizing a single-ticketing system in the capital region and an integrated master plan for a flood control program in Metro Manila.
The panel also approved the creation of a technical working group on House Bill No. 2141, which seeks to enhance the effectiveness of the Metropolitan Manila Council.
