SC spokesman says 'rant' not anti-INC

MANILA, Philippines - Supreme Court spokesperson qualified his Twitter posts complaining about the clogged Manila streets on Monday morning, saying he did not intend to rant against the Iglesia Ni Cristo

"I realize that my earlier tweets, described as rants, might have been construed as directed against the group that organized the event today that caused traffic," lawyer Theodore Te said on his Twitter account on Monday afternoon.

Iglesia Ni Cristo held an evangelical and dental mission in different sites in Metro Manila, causing slow-moving traffic, the cancelation of classes and, in some cases, even suspension of work.

He said that his "passionate and strong" statements are not against the religious group but against local authorities and traffic enforcers.

"If feelings were offended I assure them it was not my intention to give offense and I offer my apology for the misunderstanding," Te said.

Earlier today, Te used the microblogging site to lambast the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority for wrongly directing motorists to alternate routes that "make no sense."

"Two hours for a drive that usually takes 20 mins. Thank you to the mayor and vice mayor of Manila and the peripherals like the @MMDA," he said.

"Three hours to reach work. And to think I took the advisories seriously, left early and even planned my route," he also said.

Te also called the religious group "a favored sect" and questioned if the event asked for a permit.

"The tarps attached to the jeeps and buses mention the name of the sect and a private foundation. Real parties in interest," the court official said.

He also criticized Manila authorities for suspending classes instead of regulating the flow of public assemblies.