MMDA won't sue motorists recording erring constables –official

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Sunday clarified that it will not file charges against motorists who will record their transaction with erring traffic constables.

 

"Wala po. Hindi po. Ang MMDA po, bilang ahensya, ay hindi namin babalikan [ang motorista]," MMDA Assistant General Manager for Operations Emerson Carlos told radio dzBB in an interview.

 

Carlos added that traffic constables who may have felt that their rights have been violated will not be assisted legally by the MMDA in pursuing cases against motorists.

 

"Bahala na silang maghanap ng legal team nila," Carlos said.

 

The MMDA official was referring to the video recording of private car owner Dianne Versoza.

 

Versoza recorded the extortion try of a traffic constable assigned on Commonwealth Avenue.

 

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said that the constable had been fired, but warned that the private car owner may also be liable for allegedly violating the Anti-Wiretapping Law.

 

Lawyer JJ Disino from the University of the Philippines College of Law said the recording of a conversation in a public place with a public servant is not a violation of the said law.

 

“Hindi naman private 'yun, eh... Nage-exercise siya (traffic enforcer) ng public duty, ine-enforce niya ang traffic laws. Hindi naman pwede gawin in private 'yun, eh. Ginagawa talaga 'yun in public,” Disini pointed out.

 

Carlos said that the MMDA leadership was not trying to threaten motorists who are planning to take videos of erring constables.

 

He also said that they have reminded their traffic constables of the 30-second apprehension rule.

 

"Kung titicketan mo na iyan, tapos na. Ginawa mo na ang trabaho mo. Bahala na ang naticketan na i-question sa adjudication process," Carlos said. —ALG, GMA News