By Ellson A. Quismorio
House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez questioned the competence of Metro Rail Transit 3 General Manager Rodolfo Garcia during a public hearing on continuing operational woes of the 19-year-old mass transit system, prompting Garcia to throw a fit and offer his resignation to congressmen.
Alvarez, during a joint hearing between the House Committees on Transportation and Public Works and Highways, said commuters have long been suffering from the MRT 3’s sorry service, including the ordeal of having to stand in long queues, overcrowding in the trains, and the frequent breakdowns of the train line.
Garcia in response claimed that they were looking to augment the present number of operational MRT 3 coaches by using the 48 new light rail coaches procured by the previous administration from Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stocks Co.
However, Alvarez underscored these coaches worth R3.8 billion have been reported to be incompatible with the MRT 3, irking Garcia.
Garcia insisted the China-bought coaches can be used by the train line.
“Sigurado ka?” the Speaker asked him several times in mocking fashion. “Then, I will resign kung hindi ako sigurado,” Garcia said, his voice raised, after which he stood up and threatened to walk out of the hearing.
Attending House members subsequently told Garcia to accord proper respect not only to the joint committee but to Alvarez.
House Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, Alvarez’s party-mate and right hand man, warned Garcia that they could have him detained for his demeanor.
The cool-headed Fariñas asked the MRT 3 General Manager to apologize, which Garcia did by approaching the Speaker. Alvarez accepted the gesture.
