Diokno slams MMDA’s Jojo Garcia for blaming commuters: ‘Kayo ang problema, hindi sila’

MANILA, Philippines — Human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno on Wednesday slammed the general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for blaming commuters for the chaos that happened in Metro Manila roads as the government relaxed its quarantine measures in a move to revive the economy.

Wag nyo ipasa sa taumbayan ang pagkukulang nyo sa plano. You had 77 days to prepare, inuna nyo pa ang mga nagpo-post sa FB at Anti-Terror Bill. Tapos sisisihin ang masa? Kayo ang problema, hindi sila. Pag maayos ang sistema, may disiplina. Pag malinaw ang plano, susunod ang tao. https://t.co/kcWCUNW3HF

— Chel Diokno (@ChelDiokno) June 3, 2020

“Kayo ang problema, hindi sila (You are the problem, not them),” Diokno said in a Twitter in reaction to an Inquirer article where MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said that the public “seemed to have lost focus” knowing that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) could still spread despite the general community quarantine (GCQ) imposed in the metro.

As Metro Manila, known to be the epicenter of the country’s coronavirus outbreak, was placed under GCQ on Monday, it was reported that commuters had a hard time getting to work due to limited public transportation.

According to the Department of Transportation, the resumption of public transportation would be done in two phases. From June 1 to 21, trains and bus augmentation, taxis, transport network vehicle services (TNVS), shuttle services, point-to-point buses, and bicycles will be allowed to operate,  but with limited passenger capacity.

From June 22 to 30, Public Utility Buses (PUBs), modern public utility vehicles (PUVs), and UV Express will be permitted to operate with limited passenger capacity, along with the initial set of transport modes that were allowed to run during Phase 1.

Meanwhile, city buses and jeepneys will not be allowed to be back on Metro Manila roads to ferry passengers

Diokno said that the MMDA shouldn’t pass the blame to commuters, adding that they had 77 days to prepare while Metro Manila was still under stricter quarantine.

“Wag nyo ipasa sa taumbayan ang pagkukulang nyo sa plano. You had 77 days to prepare, inuna nyo pa ang mga nagpo-post sa (Facebook) FB at Anti-Terror Bill. Tapos sisisihin ang masa?,” the lawyer said in his tweet.

(Don’t pass on to the people your shortcomings on planning. You had 77 days to prepare, and you prioritized those posting on Facebook and the Anti-Terror Bill. Then you’ll blame the masses?)

Diokno was not done, as he told off the agency: “Pag maayos ang sistema, may disiplina. Pag malinaw ang plano, susunod ang tao (If the system is in order, there’s discipline. If the plan is clear, people will follow.)