Palace: No need for Noy to take MRT challenge

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. answers questions from the media in a press briefing on Malacanang Friday when he advised people to remain vigilant until the exit of Typhoon Yolanda from the Philippine area of responsibility. He also commended the people along the typhoon path for heeding the call of the government to evacuate and take the necessary precautions as the typhoon approached. (Photo by Robert Viñas/Rodolfo Manabat/Malacanang Photo Bureau)

MANILA – Saying that there is no need for President Aquino to take the Metro Rail Transit challenge, Malacañang yesterday dismissed calls for him to ride the MRT.

“We should understand that the president is the father of the nation. He is dealing with a lot more problems, day and night,” Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said in Filipino.

Coloma also appealed for public understanding saying that the President is into addressing more pressing concerns as of the moment.

He said that Aquino, who needs to address the problems of all his cabinet secretaries, is facing problems that are “25 times” more difficult than the usual.

Last Monday, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda and his deputy Abigail Valte accepted the challenge and took the train ride to Malacañang.

“Took the MRT ride rush hour challenge at 8:24 am,” Valte tweeted. “Waited in line 37 minutes. Ride took 40 minutes, North (EDSA avenue) to Taft (avenue),” Valte said on her Twitter post.

“The ride itself was okay. Lining up along Edsa? Lot to be desired. Line to buy ticket was about 10 people deep,” she added.

Responding to the calls on the MRT challenge where public officials are challenged to try commuting using the train on a rush hour, Coloma said, he could personally take the challenge anytime.