Chaos at the MRT

MRT3 General Manager Al Vitangcol admitted that the MRT system was not meant for the future. Meaning, those who constructed the railway system did not anticipate the possibility of achieving maximum limits when it comes to ridership.

Now, we see long lines every single day, an inconvenience to thousands of MRT commuters.  The government has not admitted it, but we are already experiencing what experts call "traffic armageddon." The system has reached its limits. Sadly, the government is unable to correct the problem.

Now, even if we follow what Communications secretary Sonny Coloma suggested to find alternative ways of transport, there is not much around. Government should have anticipated this early on.

This only means that our government lacks the vision and the pro-activeness expected of it. How then can we sustain the so-called "gains" when there is a lack or even in some aspects, absence of necessary infrastructure?

It is a good idea to involve business enterprises yet, the sad fact really is these companies are after huge profits. Government is supposed to regulate the greed, but because government is itself, greedy, it allows these companies to do what it wants to the detriment of millions of Filipino consumers and commuters.

This is the bleak future we see in the horizon. This is the collusion that harms most of us. Is it possible to break it? Yes, it is possible through an overhaul of the entire system.

Why is Malacanang sticking its neck out for beleaguered MRT manager Al Vitangcol who is accused of extortion by Czech ambassador

The DOTC-Inekon scandal is getting bigger by the day simply because of the "omission" made by the Czech ambassador. This "omission" pricked the curiosity of many people--why omit the name of this very important person or VIP in this scandal and focus on crucifying the small prys. One explanation given was these DOTC officials probably name dropped this VIP and there is no evidence that would link "him and her" to the controversy. Such evidence is definitely hard to find. You can't prove that this presidential sister and her husband are the "principals" of the proposers, meaning, MRT General Manager Al Vitangcol and allegedly, this Mr. de Vera, unless of course, these two present evidence establishing that they went to those meetings with the Ambassador with the expressed understanding that they are representing the couple and not just themselves.

What has damned this issue from the onset is the differing stance of this Ambassador. At one point, he is entirely sure of the involvement of the two. In other instances, the ambassador expressed doubts if the couple is really involved.

In a press statement, the Ambassador says he is willing to face Al Vitangcol in a Senate inquiry. This just means that the Ambassador is ready to even risk his diplomatic status just to prove a point.

What is most obvious in this scandal is the fact that Vitangcol remains in office--he should have been at the very least, asked to file a Sabbatical leave, to give the NBI and other investigators a free hand in determining his innocence or culpability.

Yet no. Vitangcol, an appointee of declared presidential candidate Mar Roxas remains in office inspite of the various problems the MRT is encountering. Clearly, just for incompetence sake, Vitangcol should have been asked to resign or just summarily fired for being incompetent. But, no. Malacanang is sticking to their man for no apparent reason, other than, what most people think--Vitangcol is probably really very close to the "VIP" mentioned by the Ambassador, that explains why he remains glued to his seat.

What the Palace should have done in the first place is make an example out of Vitangcol. He should have been asked, quietly, to vacate his post, out of delicadeza.

By allowing Vitangcol to stay, Malacanang is sending a wrong message to the people.

Yes, Al Vitangcol is just being accused of extortion and is not proven yet if he did. For delicadeza's sake, Vitangcol's case should have been handled properly