Poe, Tugade ‘clash’ on emergency power grant

Senator Grace Poe and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade clashed Tuesday on the need for emergency power to address Metro Manila’s worsening traffic problem.

In his opening speech during the hearing of the  Senate public services committee, Tugade said had the emergency powers been granted during the first three years of the Duterte administration, they would have done so many things to resolve the traffic jam.

"Kung napagbigyan lang sana ng emergency power noon, dapat ngayon nirerepaso na natin ‘yung mga nagawa.  Kami ay umaasa na ngayon ay mabigyang pansin ang emergency power na aming hinihingi," he said.

He said the emergency powers the Duterte administration is seeking has unique features and good for two to three years.

"Ito ay emergency power na hindi pang -forever, ito ay emergency power na sukat sa dalawa o tatlong taon,” he said.

He added the function to oversee the projects will remain with Congress and legal issues can be brought before the Supreme Court.

‘Alternative modes of procurement’

But Poe, who chairs the committee, said the DOTr could do many of the things they want even without emergency powers being granted to the President.

“There are alternative modes of procurement that is allowed under existing laws. May mga bagay na hindi kailangan ng emergency power. ‘Yung ating trains hindi kailangan ng emergency power para mag-acquire," she said.

Tugade agreed with Poe but said that the procurement can be faster with emergency powers. Poe disagreed with him.

“Hindi mapapabilis, sa ngayon nga hindi nagagwa e…Meron tayong recourse sa ngayon. Kung  talagang kailangan ang emergency power e bakit hindi ibibigay, pero wag sisihin na kaya hindi nagagawa ang trabaho dahil wala ‘yan,” she said.

The transportation chief said he did not mean that the government was not able to do anything but more could have been done if emergency powers had been granted.

“Wala kaming sinasabing wala kaming nagawa. Mas marami sana kaming nagawa kung may emergency  power. Ang usapin sa emergency powers ay hindi  sa procurement lamang,” he said.

He added that some of their projects were delayed because of the ruling of different courts.

Poe said she will not allow the issue to easily slip away adding that the bill on emergency powers was not even certified as urgent by the President.

“Na-certify sana itong bill na ito na urgent. ‘Yung TRAIN law certified as urgent, ‘yung Bangsamoro law certified as urgent, lahat yan napasa dito dahil hiniling ng ehekutibo,” she said.

“Si (Finance Secretary Carlos) Dominguez nga po palaging andito sa Senate, nakikipag-usap sa amin. Kayo nga po bihira magpakita dito,” she added.

Tugade replied that he also talks with the senators and the DOTr is ready to present the plans and infrastructures they have in addressing the traffic situation.

Poe maintained that the granting of emergency powers needs a thorough study. — RSJ, GMA News