FREE RIDE A government shuttle bus offers passengers a free ride in Quezon City in this file photo. — LYN RILLON
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero clarified on Wednesday that the Senate is not insisting that its stand on the controversial Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) is perfect, adding that it’s normal for the executive and legislative branches of the government to have varying views on certain matters.
Escudero’s remarks came after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos rejected the Senate appeal to suspend PTMP.
Twenty-two out of 23 senators earlier signed a resolution asking for the suspension of the program pending resolution of the valid and urgent concerns raised by the affected sector.
“That’s what you call separation of powers on different divisions of the government. It’s okay to have different opinions. Okay lang na magkaroon ng iba’t ibang pananaw ang iba’t ibang sangay ng pamahalaan. Walang masama at mali roon,” said Escudero in a press conference.
(That’s what you call separation of powers on different divisions of the government. It’s okay to have different opinions. It’s okay for different branches of government to have different views. There is nothing bad or wrong in that.)
“Nagpahayag ng sense of the Senate. Ito ang pananaw at tingin namin. Hindi namin sinasabing tama, perpekto at kami lang ang magaling,” he noted.
(It’s only the sense of the Senate. This is our view and opinion. We’re not saying we’re right, perfect, and the only ones who are good.)
“Ito ay nagsisilbing paalala lang sa executive branch at ganyan dapat ang relasyon sa pagitan ng executive at legislative,” he added.
(This just serves as a reminder to the executive branch and that’s how the relationship between the executive and legislative should be.)
But with or without the President’s point of view, Escudero believes that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is not ready to implement PTMP.
“Again, with or without this rejection of that call, hindi naman din kayang ipatupad ng DOTr. Ni wala silang hinihinging pera para ipatupad talaga sa lahat ‘yun eh,” Escudero said.
(Again, with or without this rejection of that call, the DOTr cannot implement it. They haven’t even asked for funding to be able to implement this for all.)
“Tinanong ko na nga sila, ‘di ba? Umamin mismo ang DOTr sa hearing. Sana matanong din sila ng Pangulo,” the senator suggested.
(I asked them, right? They admitted it in the DOTr hearing. I hope President Marcos gets to ask them too.)
Later in the press conference, Escudero pointed out that there might have been a reason why PTMP, previously called the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, has been suspended seven times, one being the fact that the DOTr is “not yet ready” to launch the program.
Meanwhile, despite apprehension publicly aired by the transport sector, Marcos earlier maintained that no driver would “lose their job and livelihood” under the program.