Dear Ms. Pamintuan:
This refers to the editorial article published in the Philippine Star on September 3, 2015 titled “Wanted: Traffic manager.” We would like to clarify some of the issues raised in the article so the public and your Editorial team may be informed on the correct and true account of the issues raised.
The editorial article stated that “at the height of the monstrous traffic gridlocks last week due to the Iglesia ni Cristo protest rallies, he went to Legaspi, Albay to personally hand over P20 million worth of traffic lights donated by the MMDA to the city government.”
We wish to clarify that Chairman Francis Tolentino has been in Manila during the traffic crisis above referred where he personally monitored situation by inspecting the critical areas affected by the INC event and personally directed his people in managing the traffic situation during the whole crisis period.
In fact, Chairman Tolentino was present at the Press Conference held at Camp Crame on Saturday, August 29, 2015, as evidenced by the photo taken by Philippine Star. In said press conference which briefed the government’s action in managing the traffic situation affected by the INC event, Chairman Tolentino spoke on the action taken and to be taken to manage the traffic situation during the INC event.
Furthermore, Chairman Tolentino was invited by Net25, an INC television network, for a live interview on the same day regarding the government’s response on the INC event. He attended the live interview at Net25 as well.
Given the foregoing, it is inaccurate to state that Chairman Tolentino was in Legaspi, Albay during the height of the INC rallies, implying that Chairman Tolentino left Metro Manila and his responsibility as Chairman of MMDA. As clearly established, Chairman Tolentino was in Manila personally overseeing and directing MMDA’s response to manage the traffic situation during the INC event.
We hope to have clarified issues raised in the article and if there should be any further concerns, clarifications or questions, we remain ready to provide whatever assistance necessary. — Edenison F. Fainsan, Assistant General Manager for Finance and Administration, MMDA