Palace defends timing of free MRT, LRT rides

Commuters enter the North Avenue station of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 in Quezon City on March 18, 2025. The timing of the four-day MRT 3 and Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 rides should not be given a malicious meaning, even if they were announced just weeks before the election, a Palace official said on Wednesday. Photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta/INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines — The timing of the four-day free Metro Rail Transit Line 3 and Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 rides should not be given a malicious meaning, even if they were announced just weeks before the election, a Palace official said on Wednesday.

At a briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro was asked for a message to those who might interpret the initiative differently, particularly at a time when election-related surveys are being released one after another.

Castro responded by saying that Labor Day is celebrated internationally every May 1, so there is nothing wrong with the timing.

She added that the free rides were extended to four days so the public could feel their impact more.

“Huwag naman po nating bigyan ng malisya, hayaan po nating makinabang iyong taumbayan sa mga maaaring itulong ng gobyerno sa kanila,” she said.

(Let’s not cast doubt or attach malice to it; let’s allow the public to benefit from whatever assistance the government can provide them.)

READ: President Marcos announces free MRT, LRT rides on April 30-May 3

On Tuesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the free train rides, which began on April 30 and will last until May 3.

This was a “small recognition of the sacrifice and the contribution of our workers not only to our economy but also to our society,” he said in a video message.