Give him a break.
Malacañang appealed yesterday to critics not to mock Interior and
Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas who figured in a motorcycle mishap
while on a relief mission in Eastern Samar.
Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte defended Roxas, who is
head of the National Government Frontline Team deployed in typhoon-hit
Samar, saying it was a good thing the Cabinet secretary was not injured
at all.
Valte, speaking to reporters in the Palace, suggested that it was
better to focus on the government’s massive relief efforts in storm-hit
places instead of on Roxas’ motorbike accident.
“Sana huwag na po nating bigyan ng kulay. Kawawa na nga ho ‘yung tao
nandun na at sumemplang na nga ho at pasalamat po tayo — pasalamat po
kami, at least, hindi ho nasaktan si Secretary Mar [Please let us not
give any color to it. It was unfortunate that he fell. We are thankful
that he was not hurt],” Valte said.
“Nakikiusap naman po tayo na mag-focus na lang po tayo doon sa
trabahong kailangan hong gawin ‘nung ating mga ground team at ‘yung mga
kasamahan po natin dito sa Manila [We hope that we will focus on the
work that needs to be done by the ground team and our colleagues in
Manila],” she added.
A photograph of Roxas falling on his bike in Samar recently went
viral on social media. Some netizens have reportedly ridiculed Roxas for
alleged careless driving during a storm while others criticized the
DILG chief for not wearing any helmet.
Valte explained that Roxas and other team members were forced to ride
a motorcycle to reach Dolores town where typhoon Ruby made its first
landfall, last Sunday. She said the town was inaccessible due to fallen
trees and other debris on the road.
“The trip from Borongan to Dolores is 65 kilometers. Matagal ho
nilang nakuha ‘yung marating dahil nga marami nga hong kinilear (clear).
And sometimes the mode of transportation is the only way to be able to
move forward [The trip from Borongan to Dolores is 65 kilometers. It
took them a long time to reach the place because debris had to be
cleared. And sometimes (the choice of) the mode of transportation is the
only way to be able to move forward],” Valte said.
