MMDA reports ‘fiscal’ in viral apprehension video to DOJ, LTO

The Metro Manila Development Authority has brought the case of the motorist who questioned her apprehension for illegal parking to the attention of the Department of Justice, where she reportedly works, and the Land Transportation Office.

MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia said he had spoken with Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, who supposedly told him to send a letter as regards the conduct of the motorist, who was identified in a viral video as a prosecutor,

A letter will also be sent to Justice Menardo Guevarra for a possible complaint against the lawyer, identified as a prosecuting lawyer.

"Pinayagan naman niya (Guevara) akong mag-sabi, nagkausap kami kaninang umaga,at sabi niya nga i-forward yung letter sa kanya and they will take action," Garcia said.

Francis Ray Almora, LTO Law Enforcement Service Director, said the lawyer will be given five days to reply and explain why her license should not be revoked.

"Sa batas po natin, sinasabi po na yung assistant secretary ng LTO may suspend yung lisensya ng isang tao if yung tao na yun ay hindi karapat-dapat magkaroon ng lisensya o magoperate, drive ng motor vehicle," Almora said.

The MMDA may also file a disbarment case against the lawyer before the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

The lawyer was seen arguing with a traffic enforcer and Nebrija on Tuesday in a video uploaded by Facebook user Gadget Addict.

The lawyer supposedly almost drove into one of two traffic constables on motorcycles while complying with orders and raised her voice to explain her side of the story to Nebrija using the MMDA's rules on towing.

It was noted that the lawyer may also be charged for direct assault for this incident.

MMDA guidelines state that owners of an unattended or illegally parked vehicle will be notified five times, then another five times after one minute to attend to the vehicle before they are towed.

In case the illegally parked vehicle is attended, they will be issued a ticket by a traffic constable or deputized HPG.

In this case, Garcia said in the press briefing that the five minute grace period cited in the video began when enforcers got to the scene and not when the lawyer received the warning.

The lawyer argued in the video that she should be allowed to leave the scene without handing over her license as she attended to the vehicle five minutes after she received the notification.

Garcia said the lawyer's license was requested only so enforcers could cite her properly for illegal parking.

He hoped the incident will prompt motorists to follow enforcers when cited for alleged traffic violations instead of arguing for their case.

"Sana po maging aral na naman ito sa atin. Simple traffic violation po wag na kayo makipag-away. Bigay niyo lang po lisensya niyo, titekitan kayo, tapos na, wala pang one to two minutes, tapos na kagad kesa magkaroon ng confrontation," Garcia said.

The lawyer may file counter-charges against the MMDA. —NB, GMA News