We find the Vice President’s remarks unfortunate.

With all due respect to Vice President Robredo, the MRT-3 issue is not about covering up shortcomings.

The Administration has faced the MRT-3 mess squarely. The President has even apologized over a recent train mishap and transport officials admitted that while they cannot solve the problems overnight they are working double time to restore the convenience and reliability of the MRT-3 by getting a proven maintenance firm and buying needed parts.

However, we cannot deny the fact that these are cumulative problems that the Administration inherited and the long-suffering commuters of Metro Manila have known for years how the past government destroyed the MRT.

The filing of the plunder complaint against officials of the previous administration was to make them accountable. These officials facilitated the negotiated procurement of long-term maintenance contracts to BURI, which per the Supplemental Complaint Affidavit filed by the DOTr, “turned the DOTC as a bottomless cash cow entering into one anomalous procurement project.”

We cannot simply sweep the sins of incompetence and corruption under the rug with the harsh reality of half a million daily suffering riding public staring us in the face.