Jail Abaya over MRT-LRT mess, says militant group

A militant group on Friday said Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya should be jailed for his alleged failure to act on the problems hounding the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3 and Light Rail Transit (LRT).

Anakbayan national chairperson Vencer Crisostomo said Abaya should be held accountable for the deteriorating state of mass transport system in the country, which has led to the suffering of thousands of commuters every day.

“All those responsible for the transport woes, including Abaya, [President Benigno Aquino III] and even former secretary Mar Roxas should be held accountable. They are liable for graft and corruption, plunder and other crimes. We support the calls to immediately remove kabarkada (buddy) Abaya from office, this should have in fact been done a long time ago. More than removal from office, the public deserves justice: Abaya should be jailed,” Crisostomo said.

READ: Sack Abaya, Aquino urged

Crisostomo also called for the suspension, review, and investigation of all deals and contracts which the DOTC entered into under Abaya’s helm.

“The Aquino administration have used the mass transport system as cash cow for their corrupt practices and as source of campaign funds for Mar Roxas’ kulelat (losing) bid. Many anomalous agreements have been entered into under Aquino, Roxas and Abaya’s watch including flawed maintenance contracts, illegal fare hikes, onerous privatization deals, which includes a bribery scandal involving the first family,” he added.

Recently, Sen. Grace Poe, chairman of the Senate committee on public order, urged President Aquino to sack Abaya amid public clamor calling for the transportation chief’s resignation.

READ: Poe urges Aquino: Fire ‘incompetent, shortsighted’ Abaya

Poe expressed alarm over the safety of the MRT after the South Korean Busan Transport Corp., which won the P3.81-billion three-year maintenance contract for the MRT 3, reportedly backed out of the deal. CDG

READ: Poe laments alleged Palace decision to keep Abaya