Binay hits Palace for canceling LRT-Cavite project

from The Daily Tribune Jan 23, 2010

http://www.tribune.net.ph/metro/20100123met2.html

United Opposition (UNO) vice presidential candidate and Makati Mayor Jojo Binay yesterday said Malacañang’s decision to scrap a major rail project in Cavite is President Arroyo’s way of punishing local officials who have turned opposition.

“Clearly, it is an example of vindictive politics. But in punishing local officials, it is the people of Cavite who get hurt,” Binay said in explaining the repercussion of the abrupt cancellation of the project to extend the Light Rail Transit line to the province with a population of two million.

“Malacañang’s rule has always been for progress to take a backseat to politics. All projects are reviewed through the prism of politics. Hence, projects by Arroyo favorites get fast-tracked while the projects of those who oppose her get derailed,” he said.

Binay added the scuttling of the proposed 11.7- kilometer LRT line from Baclaran to Bacoor City in Cavite “on the petty reason that Gov. Ayong Maliksi is not with the administration is the kind of political retaliation that has been the trademark of the Arroyo regime.” “Clearly, the fate of LRT Cavite was arrived at after a loyalty check and, probably, after enticing Cavite provincial leaders to shift political allegiance back to the Palace. When they said no, the Palace retaliated by refusing to green light the project,” Binay said.

Binay added in his visits to other provinces, many local leaders have complained of “unfair treatment” from national government agencies.

“Their gripes range from the pullout of police commanders without consultation to the non-implementation of public works projects,” he said.

“If you are not a fan of GMA, funding for infrastructure projects in your area will stop or your police commander will be changed,” Binay said, referring to the midnight relief of police directors in Cavite, Pampanga, Batangas, Camarines Sur and “other provinces whose  governors have decided to cast their lot with the opposition.”

Binay issued his “statement of solidarity” with Cavite after Maliksi led 20,000 of his province mates in an indignation rally in the Capitol grounds in Trece Martires City Wednesday to protest national government’s shelving of the LRT project.

The notice of cancellation was reportedly transmitted by Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza who cited lack of material time to groundbreak the project.