Taguig mayor: Makati subway project cancellation is Abby Binay’s fault

MANILA, Philippines — The cancellation of the P200-billion Makati Subway project was Mayor Abby Binay’s fault alone and not Taguig’s, according to Mayor Lani Cayetano.

Cayetano’s remark stemmed from Binay’s claim that Taguig was the “uncontrollable variable” that caused the plan to be canceled. The latter’s statement came after the contractor, Philippine Infradev Holdings Inc., announced that the project is “no longer economically and operationally feasible” due to the feud between the two cities.

The project’s cancellation also follows the Supreme Court’s decision to transfer the 10 “embo” (enlisted men’s Barrios) or barangays in Makati to Taguig.

READ: Makati subway no longer feasible, builder goes for arbitration

“Gusto ko lang linawin—hindi kailanman nakipag-ugnayan sa amin ang Makati tungkol sa proyektong ito. Hindi bago magdesisyon ang Korte, at lalong hindi pagkatapos. Kaya ang pagsisi sa Taguig ay hindi lamang mali, kundi malayo sa katotohanan,” Cayetano said in a video statement on Thursday.

(I just want to clarify—Makati never contacted us about this project. Not before the Court ruled, and certainly not after. So blaming Taguig is not only wrong but far from the truth.)

“Ngayon, sinasabi ni Mayor Abby Binay na ang Taguig daw ang ‘uncontrollable variable’ na sumira sa plano. Tayo na naman ang itinuro. Pero tanungin natin: kami ba ang pumasok sa multi-bilyong proyekto kahit may kasong nakabinbin? Kami ba ang gumastos para sa mga istasyon na nakatayo sa lupang alam nilang hindi pa tiyak kung kanila?” she asked.

(Now, Mayor Abby Binay is saying that Taguig is the ‘uncontrollable variable’ that ruined the plan. We are the ones being blamed again. But let’s ask: were we the ones who entered into the multi-billion peso project despite a pending lawsuit? Were we the ones who paid for the stations that are built on land they know is not yet theirs?)

In Taguig, Cayetano said they conducted every project “properly and legally” with “proper consultation, clear ownership, and the welfare of the people is always at the center.”

“Basic facts will show you that this is Abby Binay’s fault and hers alone. Alam ’yan ng contractor na kinuha mo. Do not point at the decision of the Supreme Court. Be accountable for your decisions and actions,” Cayetano stressed.

(The contractor you hired knows that. Do not point at the decision of the Supreme Court. Be accountable for your decisions and actions.)

“In the meantime, let me state for the record that I’m open to working with anyone and any group for any transportation program that will ease the plight of our commuters. Hindi po ito dahil sa pulitika, kundi tunay na pagmamalasakit para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan,” she added.

(This is not because of politics, but rather a genuine concern for the welfare of our countrymen.)