SC spokesman blasts MMDA, Erap for traffic caused by INC event

File photo of Metro Manila traffic

MANILA, Philippines - While over a million Filipinos are expected to benefit from the medical mission of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), Supreme Court Spokesperson Theodore Te and several others are not happy with the traffic caused by Monday's event.

Venting his annoyance on Twitter, the High Court's spokesperson criticized Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino, and Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas.

“Someone allowed this to happen, right? The mayor of Manila? The department of the interior? The head of MMDA? So far no one has man'd up,” Te said in his official Twitter account.

“The voluble turn mute. I'm still waiting for an explanation from Estrada, Moreno, Roxas, and Tolentino. Pls include a LOGICAL reason,” he added.

He lamented that Espana Avenue and peripheral roads were being used as parking areas due to the INC event as the heavy gridlock in Manila delayed motorists.

Te further ranted on Twitter, questioning the legality of the INC event and the Manila government's decision to suspend classes due to the medical and dental mission.

"May permit ba to? Isn't this a public assembly in non freedom parks? See BP 880," Te twitted.

"The LGU power to regulate TPM of public assemblies has been upheld in the CPR case. Instead LGU and Deped suspend classes? Duh?!" he added.

The INC event has prompted 11 local government units in Metro Manila to suspend Monday classes for elementary and high school students due to the INC event.

Read: 11 LGUs suspend classes for INC mission

Edwil Zabala, INC Minister of Gospel, said in an interview on GMA News TV's News To Go that they had no opportunity to hold the event in Manila over the weekend.

In an interview on radio dzMM, Moreno said the Manila government made the necessary preparations for the event such as a police visibility plan and traffic and rerouting management.

And to help motorists plan their trips today, the MMDA also announced the alternative routes in areas affected by the INC medical mission.

Aside from the Supreme Court spokesman, several Filipinos also complained of the traffic caused by Monday's event.

Show comments