Ex-MMDA chief Tolentino washes hands off metro traffic woes

Former Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino on Monday defended himself from observations that he failed to solve Metro Manila's traffic woes during his stint at MMDA.

Interviewed by Kara David on News To Go, Tolentino, who is running for senator in the May elections, said the MMDA should not be solely blamed for the perennial traffic problem in Metro Manila.

"Ang sana maunawaan ng tao [ay] hindi ko po kontrolado 'yung pagi-issue ng prangkisa, hindi ko po kontrolado 'yung public works, hindi ko rin kontrolado 'yung MRT [at] LRT," he said, adding the MMDA is only involved in traffic management.

Noting that every city has its own traffic management system, Tolentino, a former mayor of Tagaytay City, said the traffic problem could be best addressed through legislation.

Disaster mitigation

However, Tolentino said if ever he becomes senator, his first bill would be for disaster mitigation.

"Ang nakikita ko po diyan ay we really need to have a Philippine disaster reconstruction agency," he said. "Ang isusulong ko ay recovery and rehabilitation."

During the interview, Tolentino took pride that during his term as MMDA chairman, he was able to unify  Metro Manila mayors and launched the Pasig River Ferry Service project.

Tolentino first served as an OIC mayor of Tagaytay in 1986 appointed by then-President Corazon Aquino. He then ran unopposed in 1995 and served the city until 2004.

Tagaytay

Tolentino said he sees Tagaytay as an achievement, saying, "Ang Tagaytay dati araruhan at pinyahan lang 'yan."

He added that he opened St. Patrick's village, a "grassroots, LGU-based, socialized" housing. He also boasted about St. Michael Village and Sto. Niño Homes.

"Nakatira po doon ang mga mahihirap na kababayan natin," Tolentino said, adding, "Tagaytay is one of the most progressive cities in the Philippines na ginagawang modelo ng iba't ibang lungsod at bayan."

"I have won several Galing Pook Awards for those achievements," he said.

Tolentino also noted that he is "case-free": "You can search the Sandiganbayan records. I don't have a Sandiganbayan case, I don't have a fiscal case, I don't have an RTC (Regional Trial Court) case."

Controversy

When asked regarding the allegedly lewd performance of an all-girl group after a Liberal Party oath-taking ceremony in Laguna that put him in hot water months ago, the former MMDA chair said, "It's not an issue—it's not graft and corruption, it's not job-related."

"Part ng kultura 'yun. It's not job-elated, it has nothing to do with substance and qualifications," he said, adding that the incident had somewhat helped him improve his character.

"It strengthened my character. Nanghingi ako ng patawad, humingi ako ng paumanhin, at nagpakababang loob. Nagpalakas pa ito sa aking pagkatao at paninindigan," Tolentino said. —Aya Tantiangco/KBK, GMA News