MANILA, Philippines – Senator Francis Escudero called on President Benigno Aquino III to fire Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya for being an “embarrassment" to the administration.
The vice presidential hopeful, also known to be a close friend of the President, said Abaya, likewise a friend and party mate of Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel Roxas, “had no right to stay in his post any longer.”
"Imbes po na hintayin natin mag-resign siya, sana sibakin na lamang din ni Pangulong Aquino dahil maliwanag naman po na malapit na nating tawaging krimen ang kanyang ginagawa," Escudero said in a press statement.
(Instead of waiting for him to resign, I hope President Aquino just fires him because it is already clear his actions can almost be called criminal.)
Escudero claimed there had been “no noticeable improvement” in the services provided by the DOTC, saying Abaya is “insensitive” to the people’s problems.
The DOTC and the Aquino administration drew flak for the poor services of the Metro Rail Transit system and slow delivery of vehicular plates and drivers’ licenses, among others.
“Humantong na sa punto na pati ang United Nations ay binigyan ng advisory ang kanilang mga tauhan na pupunta o manggagaling ng Pilipinas na ingatan yung kanilang mga bagahe. Hindi po ba malaking kahihiyan ito?” Escudero said.
(It already reached a point that even the United Nations sent an advisory to their staff flying in and out of the Philippines to closely watch their baggage. Is this not a huge embarrassment?)
Despite calls for his ouster, Abaya seems unfazed. Asked for his comment, Abaya told Rappler: “As I’ve repeatedly said, serving the people is a privilege.” – Rappler.com