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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider 'Fake news' against Gatchalian family, Valenzuela LGU a distraction from NLEX fiasco — Mayor Gatchalian

'Fake news' against Gatchalian family, Valenzuela LGU a distraction from NLEX fiasco — Mayor Gatchalian

Published Dec 22, 2020 05:04 pm

Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian said "fake news" that are being spread against him, his family and the Valenzuela city government are meant to distract the public from the issue involving the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporation. 

Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian (FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

The statement came after a message accusing the Gatchalian family of corrupt practices and not being Filipino citizens began circulating in social media.

The message supposedly came from Manny V. Pangilinan, chairman of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation. 

Pangilinan has since denied the accusation.

Gatchalian again called on those spreading misinformation to stop diverting the public's focus. He reiterated his call for NLEX Corporation to present real solutions to solve traffic jams and its faulty radio-frequency identification (RFID) toll collection system. 

"We will not allow any multi-billion corporate entity to trample on our rights as motorists," the city government said in a statement issued on Monday. "It is distasteful that instead of exerting all their time to lay down viable concrete actions, they wasted their energy and resources on a demolition job against the Mayor and the City Government of Valenzuela by spreading fake news through Viber chat groups."

"We will not be intimidated nor silenced. Rather than cowering backwards because of the lies being spread, we will intensify our crusade for the welfare of the people of the City of Valenzuela, especially those plying through NLEX," the statement read. 

"We will not allow the sick brain of this demolition job to dilute the real story nor allow him to distract us from the real score which is to hold big operators accountable for lousy services in our tollways. This highway robbery has to stop now. We demand for solutions now!" it added. 

In a tweet over the weekend, Pangilinan denied that his company is spreading "malicious and absolutely false" rumors.

"We do not have any role or participation whatsoever with this rumor. We do not endorse or support this spiteful rumor in any way whatsoever," his tweet read.

Earlier, Gatchalian suspended the business permit of NLEX Corporation in Valenzuela City for its failure to submit an action plan on the traffic jams reportedly caused by its cashless toll collection system, demanding an explanation on why its business permit should not be suspended.

Motorists enjoyed a toll holiday and spacious roads after the suspension. 

The local chief executive later lifted the suspension, provided NLEX Corporation continues to find solutions to the issues raised by the city government.

The barriers in the toll plazas of Valenzuela City are now lifted from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will be placed back from 10:01 p.m. to 4:59 a.m. However, toll fees are being collected again. Some cash lanes will also resume operation.

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