MMDA denies Pasay road closure an attempt to hinder Robredo campaign rally

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday denied allegations that it was attempting to hinder the campaign rally of Vice President Leni Robredo with a five-day road closure in Pasay City.

“Sinisisi po kami at sinasabi po na kami ay nanggigipit at pinipigilan ang mga supporters ni VP Leni na um-attend ng rally. Mali po yan,” said  MMDA chairperson Romando Artes at the Laging Handa press briefing.

(We are getting blamed and some people are saying that we are restraining the supporters of VP Leni from attending the rally. That’s wrong. )

Artes explained that the organizers of Robredo’ grand rally were the ones who requested use of the road on Saturday from the city government.

He noted the MMDA only had been tasked with the traffic management and announcement for the road closure of the Macapagal Boulevard.

“Macapagal Blvd. was closed partially to vehicular traffic as the stage was so big that only one lane is passable on one side,” the MMDA said in a statement on Thursday.

“It will be closed on the rally day itself as it will be entirely occupied by supporters. The following day, Sunday, it will again be closed to allow dismantling of the stage,” it added.

The MMDA noted that the early closure of Macapagal Blvd. was even against its policy of not allowing political activities on major roads on weekdays.

“But we tolerated it so as not to be accused of being bias. Thus, accusations to the contrary is unfair to the agency and the organizer should explain this matter to their supporters,” it added. — DVM, GMA News