Senator Grace Poe has made it clear that she is not opposed to giving emergency powers to President Rodrigo Duterte to resolve the traffic problem in Metro Manila.
But the senator said that before granting emergency powers, the department must first plan a thorough investigation.
Poe, chairwoman of the Senate Public Services Committee, recently criticized Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade for failing to resolve Metro Manila's traffic problems.
Poe and Tugade were recalled in the middle of a committee hearing when the secretary said that traffic would have been delayed if emergency powers were granted during the first three years of the Duterte administration.
Tugade said DOTr is ready to present its infrastructure plans to resolve the situation.
Poe also pointed out that the secretary has always said that he has a traffic plan or transportation plan and that his time is up for hearing.
However, Poe said the official did not submit any plans after the hearings.
