President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. faced backlash after making a grand entrance via a state-funded helicopter to attend British rock band Coldplay’s concert at the Philippine Arena on Friday, January 19.
The move raised eyebrows, especially as it coincided with his push for the phaseout of jeepneys, ostensibly for environmental reasons.
Earlier in the day, Marcos inaugurated the expanded JG Summit Petrochemicals manufacturing complex in Batangas, showcasing his official duties before making the controversial trip to the concert.
The Presidential Security Command justified the use of the presidential chopper, citing an unexpected surge of 40,000 concertgoers at the Philippine Arena, leading to severe traffic complications along the route.
PSG Commander MGen. Nelson Morales emphasized, “Recognizing that this traffic situation posed a potential threat to the security of our president, the PSG took decisive action by opting for the presidential chopper.”
Morales continued, stating that the decision not only prioritized the safety of the leader but also underscored their commitment to security in the face of unforeseen challenges.
The controversy arises against the backdrop of Metro Manila being ranked as the worst place for traffic, according to the 2023 Traffic Index by transportation data company TomTom Traffic.
The study revealed that Metro Manila drivers spent an average of 25 minutes and 30 seconds to cover just 10 kilometers, making it the slowest among 387 areas mentioned in the report.
This alarming data translates to 117 hours lost in traffic for National Capital Region residents in the previous year.
Critics, including Filipino netizens, expressed their dismay over the president’s choice of transportation, funded by taxpayers’ money.
Online sentiments highlighted the stark contrast between the president’s helicopter ride and the daily struggles of ordinary citizens facing horrendous traffic and unreliable public transportation.
At the live performance, Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay, openly discussed Manila’s traffic conditions to the delight of the spirited Filipino audience.
“We’ve seen some traffic, but I think you’re No. 1 in the world,” Martin remarked between songs.
“So, thank you, thank you for making the effort to pull through all of that b***t to be here.”
He thanked Filipino fans for making the effort to attend despite the challenges, turning the moment into an opportunity to express gratitude.
While some defended the president’s security-focused decision, social media users weren’t shy about voicing their criticisms.
A verified user named Joe commented, “But seriously, let’s all act like this is totally normal and not a massive display of arrogance and indifference to the struggles of the Filipino people.”
The incident further fueled discussions about the president’s priorities, especially given his advocacy for jeepney phaseout under the guise of environmentalism.
PISTON, an account claiming to unite public transport groups, commented, “Marcos attended a Coldplay concert just 32km from Malacañang in a helicopter. The same Marcos who pushes for the phaseout of jeepneys in the guise of environmentalism, rides a helicopter to a concert.”
The Daily Netizen 