‘Atribida’ spoils bid to end crisis

It’s good to be a crusading public official. No doubt about it, you will be appreciated

President Rodrigo Duterte lashed out at a certain “atribida” (impudent) who he blamed for the unsolvable traffic crisis in Metro Manila after rejecting petitions for the granting of special powers to address the problem.

During the inauguration of a solar power project in Romblon on Wednesday night, Mr. Duterte said Cabinet members have proposed that Congress grant emergency powers.

“We need to borrow for EDSA. Because we need money to just even move one stall there. So, they were after emergency powers,” he said.

“But here comes a lady. ‘Atribida’ I would call her. 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,” the Chief Executive noted.

Nonetheless, he said that the particular lady overstepped her bounds.

Little time left

While not giving any name, it was apparent that the President was referring to Sen. Grace Poe, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Service, who had consistently said that the petition for emergency power could be meant to avoid public bidding on expensive projects.

Department of Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade said in social media that he is fully aware “that little time is left to catch up for the years that the Philippines has been left behind in terms of transport infrastructure.”

“We do not have much time to finish what we have committed to our country. Three years is already too short,” Tugade expressed.

He added, “Those with the weak of heart will find it difficult to work. Leave.”

We do not have much time to finish what we have committed to our country. Three years is already too short.

Let it rot

“If you think that all elected officials in government are corrupt, oh well, then forget it. Let EDSA rot there,” Mr. Duterte said.

“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 stated.

He explained the burden of the presidency is on his shoulder “whether I like it or not.”