SC spokesman blasts MMDA, Erap for traffic caused by INC event

MANILA, Philippines - While over a million Filipinos are expected to benefit from the medical mission of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), Supreme Court Spokesperson Theodore Te and several others are not happy with the traffic caused by Monday's event.

Venting his annoyance on Twitter, the High Court's spokesperson criticized Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino, and Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas.

“Someone allowed this to happen, right? The mayor of Manila? The department of the interior? The head of MMDA? So far no one has man'd up,” Te said in his official Twitter account.

“The voluble turn mute. I'm still waiting for an explanation from Estrada, Moreno, Roxas, and Tolentino. Pls include a LOGICAL reason,” he added.

He lamented that Espana Avenue and peripheral roads were being used as parking areas due to the INC event as the heavy gridlock in Manila delayed motorists.

Traffic along espana this early caused by buses and jeeps of this favored sect.

— Theodore Te (@TedTe) October 13, 2013

2 hours for a drive that usually takes 20 mins. Thank you to the mayor and vice mayor of Manila and the peripherals like the @MMDA

— Theodore Te (@TedTe) October 13, 2013

Te further ranted on Twitter, questioning the legality of the INC event and the Manila government's decision to suspend classes due to the medical and dental mission.

"May permit ba to? Isn't this a public assembly in non freedom parks? See BP 880," Te twitted.

"The LGU power to regulate TPM of public assemblies has been upheld in the CPR case. Instead LGU and Deped suspend classes? Duh?!" he added.

The INC event has prompted 11 local government units in Metro Manila to suspend Monday classes for elementary and high school students due to the INC event.

Read: 11 LGUs suspend classes for INC mission

Edwil Zabala, INC Minister of Gospel, said in an interview on GMA News TV's News To Go that they had no opportunity to hold the event in Manila over the weekend.

In an interview on radio dzMM, Moreno said the Manila government made the necessary preparations for the event such as a police visibility plan and traffic and rerouting management.

And to help motorists plan their trips today, the MMDA also announced the alternative routes in areas affected by the INC medical mission.

Aside from the Supreme Court spokesman, several Filipinos also complained of the traffic caused by Monday's event.

INC holds med mission and I lose on tuition money that I've paid? I want my kids to go to class!

— Harry Roque (@attyharryroque) October 14, 2013

Government allowing this Manila-wide INC medical mission on a weekday, resulting to backbreaking traffic. Smells like 2016 elections to me.

— Rain Balares (@romeorainer) October 14, 2013

The average daily traffic jam in Manila costs P2.4 billion. It’s anyone’s guess how many billions of pesos this INC activity will cost us.

— Popi Sunga (@PopiSunga) October 14, 2013

Manila traffic is INSAAAAAAAANE. The INC has decided to just take over 3 out of 4 lanes along Pureza. Zzzzz

— Armi-Anne Lee (@ArmiNavy) October 14, 2013

Medical missions are good. But 1. Why hold it on a Monday? 2. Why not plan it w minimal impact on traffic? #INC

— Froilan Grate (@GreenMinds) October 13, 2013

This INC Medical mission is good but why not do it on Sunday? Or gusto lang mang-abala sa traffic? #utak

— Yam (@iamYamYam) October 14, 2013

Instead of riding LRT 2 to LRT 1 d. Jose going to ermita, MRT na lang bcoz of the INC event sa recto! Traffic everywhere!!

—  Gio Potter (@Akongatosigio) October 14, 2013