MMDA chief scolds shirtless men, then gives them free T-shirts

MANILA, Philippines – Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) renewed his campaign on Tuesday against men going shirtless in public – by giving them a relatively mild scolding and free pink T-shirts with a cartoon illustrating acts that the MMDA bans from sidewalks. Fernando, who on the same day announced his intention of running for president in 2010, explained the reason for the T-shirt drive to Steve Dailisan in a report aired over 24 Oras, GMA's early evening newscast. "Isang paraan yun na hindi tayo nagiging too confrontational," Fernando said. "Ayaw nating parang palaban, kung hindi inaamo natin sila, kinakarinyo mo." [Translation: "It's a way of not being too confrontational. We don't want to be appear confrontational, but we're appeasing them, treating them with care."] Fernando conducted the drive along Palawan Street, Barangay Pitogo in Makati. He also went after residents who had hung their laundry to dry along sidewalks and in front of their houses. Some residents looked amused at the campaign, but some also suspected it as a gimmick in preparation for the 2010 elections. Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, for one, had earlier been questioning the MMDA's "Kaayusan" tarpaulin posters hung along EDSA for having the MMDA chief's photo in them. Last Tuesday, Fernando admitted that he was trying to get in the good graces Metro Manilans, some of whom he might have annoyed before with his agency's strict policies. "Kailangan magkaroon ako ng kaunting pondo ng pagmamahal ng tao," he said. "Na kung sakali mang ako'y magkamali ay mapapatawad nila ako, at hindi ako maging, ika nga, ay kamuhian ng husto." [Translation: "I need to build some measure of some love from the people, so that in case I make a mistake they could forgive me and not hate me so much."] MMDA officials, however, said that the T-shirt drive should not be taken that they would ease up on implementing the law. Fernando added that he would probably come out with new posters featuring his face by the end of 2008. "The posters will signify that we have reached the turning point," he said. "I can see it happening. Metro Manila will be gwapito (somewhat handsome) by 2008 and gwapo (very handsome) by 2010." - GMANews.TV