Poe: Face mask policy for members of same household inside vehicles an 'avenue for corruption'

For Senator Grace Poe, the policy requiring individuals inside vehicles to wear face masks even if they are from the same household could be an "avenue for corruption."

In an ANC interview on Wednesday, Poe reiterated her opposition to the policy, which was based on a decision by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

"Talaga bang pinag-aralan yan ng IATF? At kung hindi alam ng IATF, that's the responsibility of the DOTr (Department of Transportation) to tell them, 'I don't think this is necessary,'" she said.

Poe said she would understand if such policy would be imposed on carpooling services or public utility vehicles, where passengers share a space with other commuters that do not belong in their own household.

"[But] you're in your car with your family members. When you go home, you have to keep those masks on?" she said.

"So again, this is an avenue for corruption because you can be apprehended. Even if you are with your family, they can fine you," she added.

Though the Land Transportation Office previously said that they would not apprehend nor impose fines for violators of the policy, the DOTr said policy-makers will discuss its implementation as well as the fines and penalties that will be imposed on violators. —KBK, GMA News