MANILA, Philippines – The camp of Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Tuesday has responded to the summons of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) where he was required to explain why he should not be held liable for violating the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act after he allowed tricycles to operate despite a transportation ban.
City Administrator Atty. Jeron Manzanero told reporters that the city is fully compliant with the directives of the national government.
“Sinasabi po namin na fully compliant po kami sa lahat ng direktiba ng national na pamahalaan (We are fully compliant with the directives of the national government),” Manzanero said adding that the NBI is simply wanting to make sure that the local government is following the orders issued by the national government.
“Naiintindihan naman po namin ang ginagawa nilang trabaho kaya willing po kami maki-cooperate sa lahat ng kailangan nila para magawa nila ang tungkulin nila (We understand that they are only doing their job and we are willing to cooperate),” he said.
With the declaration of ECQ, public transport was prohibited but Sotto, in an effort to help frontliner commuters, has allowed tricycles to ply his city.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has rejected Sotto’s move despite his appeal. Sotto eventually followed the directives of the DILG and introduced other measures to help frontliners that are in line with the national government’s policies.
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