By Genalyn Kabiling
Is there no more hope for congested EDSA?
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the inauguration of the Tumingad Solar Power Project in Odiongan, Romblon on August 21, 2019. (KARL NORMAN ALONZO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
President Duterte said Wednesday that he would just "let EDSA rot" after failing to get the congressional nod for emergency powers to ease the traffic congestion along the major road.
In his visit to Romblon Wednesday, the President has expressed dismay with an "atribida" lady politician who blocked his plea for emergency powers over her concerns on possible corruption behind the move.
He claimed that a public servant could be a "crusading public official" but must not go too far and accuse others of corruption without proof.
"Sabi ko, we need to borrow for EDSA because we need money to just even move one stall there. So ang hinihingi nila emergency powers ," he said in his remarks.
"But here comes a lady. Atribida ang tawag ko diyan eh. I mean it’s good to be honest. It’s good to be a crusading public official. No doubt about it, you will be appreciated. But kung sumobra ka and you think that all elected officials in government are corrupt, oh well then," he said.
"Sabi ko, kung ganun ang pag-isip ninyo, huwag na . Let EDSA rot there. And at the end of the day, when I go out, then I’ll have the freedom to be more frank and more brutal in my language," he added.
Duterte did not identify the lady politician during his remarks in Romblon but he previously criticized Senator Grace Poe for insinuating the funds for traffic alleviation in Metro Manila might be lost to corruption. Poe is currently the chairperson of the Senate committee on public services that presides over hearings on transportation and traffic concerns.
Last month, Malacañang said it was still hopeful for the passage of a bill granting emergency powers to President Duterte to improve the traffic situation in Metro Manila and other urban centers.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte has long wanted such measures to hasten infrastructure development to enhance mobility. He said Duterte previously sought emergency powers to address the traffic congestion in Metro Manila but Congress refused.
Neophyte Senator Francis Tolentino earlier filed the proposed Special Emergency Powers Act.