Grace on Mar's DOTC stint: We deserve better

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Grace Poe on Wednesday night admitted she is not satisfied with the performance of Liberal Party Manuel "Mar" Roxas II when he was Transportation secretary.

"I think more could have been done. I think that our people deserve better and I think that it's really a matter of vision, planning and execution and leadership that could have spelled the difference," Poe said in a presidential forum at the Manila Polo Club, commenting on the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) woes.

Roxas was the secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) from 2011 to 2012 before he was appointed in the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

When asked about Roxas's performance as Transportation chief, Poe stressed that his actions and accomplishments speak for themselves.

"I've been very fair in the hearings that I've conducted with the DOTC. Of course, Secretary Mar was the DOTC secretary preceding this one and we know that we have some questions about what happened during his term," Poe said.

READ: Mar on Grace: Nobody wants a foreigner for president

In the same forum, Roxas cited the "anomalous" contract of the MRT, which started in what he called an "original sin."

"I am confident that we did all that we could do given what we could do at that time," Roxas said.

The Liberal Party standard-bearer added that the government has now purchased additional trains and will be operational by the first quarter of 2016.

"No, I would abrogate it," Roxas said when asked if he would continue the existing contract if he wins the presidency.

Meanwhile, the DOTC is eyeing to open two common stations that would link the three major railway lines — the MRT Line 3, Light Rail Transit Line 1 and the planned MRT 7.

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