Irked by TRO 'threat,' Mayor Gatchalian postpones dialogue with NLEX on RFID mess

The dialogue between the city government of Valenzuela and NLEX Corp. regarding the controversial RFID cashless payment scheme will no longer push through, Mayor Rex Gatchalian said on Wednesday.

This came amid the supposed plan of the management of NLEX to file a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the suspension of its business permit by the Valenzuela government.

Gatchalian posted screenshots of the live tweets of a radio station's interview with NLEX Corp. senior vice president Romulo Quimbo Jr., who said they are mulling filing for a TRO.

"No it's been postponed. That was supposed to be tomorrow. We, the LGU of the city, will not be threatened by NLEX," Gatchalian told GMA News Online.

In his tweets, Gatchalian said the local government "doesn't do well being threatened."

"We will welcome them filing a case in court. We know we stand on strong legal ground so we are ready to defend our actions," he said.

"I don't get this. You want to dialogue but you are saying may potential court case... I'm not sure if that is good faith," he added.

Why call for a dialogue?

In a separate Dobol B sa News TV interview, Gatchalian pointed out that NLEX should have not called for a dialogue if it really intends to bring the matter to the court.

"How can you be calling me for a dialogue kung dadalhin mo rin naman sa korte? Ang sa akin, doon na lang tayo mag-usap. You do not threaten a local government that way," Gatchalian said.

He said the local government would again write a letter to NLEX to state their conditions on the matter.

"Una, 'yung sagot nila doon sa kinakain na load, 'yung nawawalang load, laking issue kasi 'yun eh. Pangalawa 'yung mga palyadong sensor at sticker ng RFID," Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian said he would also ask for a timeline from NLEX as to when it can address the complaints against them.

"Hindi pupuwede 'yung open-ended na nangyayari na aayusin pero hindi naman inaayos," Gatchalian said.

The mayor is also planning to ask for a monthly report on the "readability" of the sensors of the RFID system.

GMA News Online has reached out to NLEX for its comment, but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

NLEX Corp.'s business permit was suspended by the Valenzuela government on Monday due to the unresolved issues on the RFID cashless payment mess.

Gatchalian said the duration of the suspension of the business permit would depend on how soon NLEX will act on the complaints against them.

Gatchalian has been appealing to NLEX to fix first the glitches of its RFID cashless payment scheme, including the readability of sensors, to prevent heavy traffic among motorists. —KBK/RSJ, GMA News