UNA hits LP over LRT collision, transport problems

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UNA hits LP over LRT collision, transport problems
The UNA statement comes after two trains of the LRT Line 1 collide in Monumento, Caloocan City Saturday morning, May 2

MANILA, Philippines – Opposition party United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) slammed the ruling Liberal Party (LP) over alleged incompetence in managing the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the MRT (Metro Rail Transit) the past 5 years.

The UNA statement comes after two trains of the LRT Line 1 collided on Monumento, Caloocan City on Saturday morning, May 23.

The collision hurt a train operator and caused temporary suspension of train operations in the area, ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) reported.

LRT Authority (LRTA) spokesperson Hernando Cabrera told ANC that power supply fluctuated at around 7 am on Saturday on EDSA Monumento, causing one of the trains to stop. The other train, however, kept moving and hit the stalled train.

No injuries among the passengers were reported, but the operator of the stationary train hit his head on the dashboard. 

UNA blamed the collision and a host of other troubles hounding the MRT and LRT on the LP-led administration, saying an LP politician, apparently referring to Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, does not deserve to be voted as the nation’s president in 2016. Roxas was former transportation secretary.

“The LP administration cannot wash its hands of culpability in this tragic incident,” said UNA interim president Toby Tiangco.

“This is the result of their 5 years of incompetence, inefficiency and corruption at the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communication). And there is no option but to declare this administration a public menace,” he added.

Tiangco accused Roxas and current Transportation Secretary Emilio Abaya of indecisiveness and incompetence, blaming them for transport problems under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.

Corruption

Tiangco cited “massive corruption involving the LP”, including “brushing aside” the alleged $30-million extortion attempt in 2012 made by MRT General Manager Al Vitangcol on a Czech company through supposed liaisons.

The allegation resurfaced after Czech Ambassador Josef Rychtar decided to speak about the matter.

The Palace earlier questioned Rychtar’s motives in reviving talks about the 2012 alleged extortion attempt, saying the envoy should be cooperating with the investigating bodies instead of speaking to the media.

“What will be judged by the people in 2016 is the appalling record of this administration. It fails the test of competence and it fails the test of integrity simply because of the unabated yet tolerated acts of large-scale corruption of party members and allies,” said Tiangco.

“And yet it has the gall to say the people need 6 more years of this type of governance. Ano sila hilo (What are they)?” he asked.

UNA’s presidential candidate, Vice President Jejomar Binay, however, also faces allegations of corruption. Because of suspicious volumes and amounts of transactionsthe Anti-Money Laundering Council sought a freeze order on the accounts of Binay and some of his family members.

The Court of Appeals (CA) issued a freeze order on May 11 on 242 bank accounts and investments of Binay, his family, and his alleged dummies, saying it found probable cause these were related to “unlawful activities.”

Tiangco regarded LP as “manhid at walang pakialam sa kapakanan ng taumbayan (callous and without regard to the welfare of the people).”

Whoever will be endorsed by Aquino as LP’s presidential contender in the 2016 polls would have to account for the Aquino administration’s failings, he added. – Rappler.com

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