Palace: Aquino will not take the MRT challenge

By: Aries Joseph Hegina - 10 years ago

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III will not take the “MRT challenge” saying he has far more problems to attend to, a Malacañang official said Tuesday.

CommunicationsSsecretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said Aquino does not need to ride the Metro Rail Transit in order to know the plight of the commuters and the problems plaguing the railway system.

“Sa aking palagay ay hindi naman niya kailangang sumakay doon para maramdaman niya o maunawaan niya. At unawain natin na ang Pangulo ay ama ng bayan; marami pong mga suliranin ang kinakaharap sa lahat—sa buong maghapon at magdamag,” Coloma said.

(In my opinion, he [Aquino] does not need to ride the MRT to feel or understand [its problems]. Let us understand that the President is the “father of the nation”; he faces many problems all day.)

Coloma also added Aquino also bears the problems of his Cabinet members.

In his part, Coloma turned down the invitation to take the MRT challenge saying that having served as an undersecretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) for two terms has given him enough insight on the problems of the MRT.

He also said given the chance, he will ride the railway system again.

Various politicians and government officials have took the “MRT challenge” recently such as Presidential spokespersons Abigail Valte and Edwin Lacierda, Senator Grace Poe, and DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.