By Robert B. Roque Jr.
How lucky we are, indeed, to have a transportation chief who is not a half-wit as the guy calling the shots at the MMDA.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista made it clear at the end of the week that the EDSA Bus Carousel — the exclusive bus lane that has made commuting faster and erased corner stop obstructions — will not only be maintained but also enhanced.
This was the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) clapback at MMDA Chair Romando Artes’s worst idea since birth. Only in the MMDA would you find a guy who thinks a mass transport solution should be threatened in favor of more traffic.
The EDSA Busway moves nearly 200,000 passengers daily. He has the numbers yet this wise guy floats the idea of removing it because private cars need more space.
I won’t be joining the chorus of netizens cursing at him, but perhaps I can give some advice: Go home and plant kamote!
Trial by Senate
Since we’re dishing out advice today, how about this: If the Senate is serious about booting Vice President Sara Duterte, they better get moving really fast.
Citing the law, seasoned election lawyer Romulo Macalintal says the Senate must conclude the impeachment trial before the 19th Congress adjourns on June 6, 2025. Otherwise, the next Senate can treat it as if it never happened.
The way our law works, exactly, is that there will be no trial left to judge once the new senators and congressmen elected in May convene for the next Congress.
Political analysts believe the Senate should convene as an impeachment court during the congressional break. They argue that the 1987 Constitution demands urgency or, more specifically, mandates the Senate to “proceed forthwith” once the articles of impeachment are transmitted.
Yet, Senate President Francis Escudero contends that they are barred by law from doing so during recess, suggesting a wait until June.
Delay can be the greatest gift senators can give to Inday Sara. If they drag their feet, they may as well kill the impeachment now and save everyone the theatrics.
Pilato Gadon
Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon is now washing his hands of the Dutertes — Pontius Pilate style.
Suddenly, he remembers that the Dutertes were never political juggernauts, claiming that Rodrigo Duterte only won in 2016 because Marcos loyalists had no better option. As for Sara? He pegs her at a measly 5 million votes.
Gadon’s message is clear: he backed the UniTeam for Marcos, not her. Now, there’s a true-blooded Marcos loyalist for you.
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