Duterte-backed Tolentino vows to push for traffic emergency powers in Senate

Former Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Francis Tolentino, who is poised to land a seat in the Senate, reiterated on Friday that he is in favor of granting emergency powers to President Rodrigo Duterte to tackle the land transport crisis in the country.

The Senate and the House of Representatives have filed their respective emergency power bills, but both are still pending approval.

During an interview on "Cabinet Report sa Teleradyo" aired on Radyo Pilipinas on Friday, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar asked Tolentino: "Are you going to push for the emergency powers?"

"Tama po, nabanggit ko iyon noong campaign na kung kinakailangang ire-file iyong emergency powers, gagawin po natin ‘yan," said the senatorial candidate.

"Pag-uusapan namin ni Pangulo, kasi maliit po ‘yung perception dati na tungkol sa procurement lang ‘yan eh. Para po sa akin, tingnan ninyo sa kabuuan pati iyong schedule ng pasok sa pribado, sa eskuwelahan, puwede naman pong maging flexi hours, schedule ng mall operations…marami pa hong iba," he added.

Tolentino also reiterated that he wants the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to be given more power for it to resolve the perennial traffic problem in Metro Manila.

"So hindi lang po sa procurement na siguro na-divert iyong atensiyon kaya nagkaroon ng mahabang debate, halos tatlong taon na na-pending iyon," Tolentino said.

"So willing po akong ire-file ‘yan nang sa ganoon po eh makita nila, ito talaga iyong kailangan at maging siguro, pagbabago ng mandato na rin noong MMDA, kung papaano mas magiging epektibo sila para tumulong maibsan ang traffic ho sa Metro Manila," he added.

The majority of the winning senatorial candidates in the 2019 elections are allied with the administration.

During the interview, Tolentino allayed fears that candidates endorsed by Duterte would simply bow down to his wishes once they take office.

"Eh masyado namang ano, iyong criticism nila kaagad. Ang sinasabi ko po, iyong Senado should be viewed as an institution. Hindi ho dapat tingnan iyong individual members, at iyong Senado bahagi lang po iyon ng legislature – nandoon pa ho iyong Lower House," Tolentino said.

"So in relation to the Executive Branch, Supreme Court… nandoon talaga iyong separation of powers, pero hindi po ibig sabihin na sinunod namin iyong ganito ay ganoon na,"  he added. — MDM, GMA News