They’re changing their tune.
“Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) assistant general manager for operations Emerson Carlos clarified that they would not file charges against motorists who will record their transaction with erring traffic enforcers,” reports Perseus Echeminada in The Philippine Star.
The report noted that “Carlos made the statement after a video recorded by private car owner Dianne Versoza showing an extortion try by a traffic constable along Commonwealth Avenue went viral.”
Carlos explained that they were only saying that “traffic constables, who may have felt that their rights have been violated, could take legal action.” However, he pointed out: “But the MMDA will not provide them legal assistance.”
Carlos went on to remind the traffic enforcers of the 30-second apprehension rule when issuing traffic violation tickets to motorists. The 30-second apprehension rule means the traffic enforcer has to issue a ticket for the motorist’s violation within 30 seconds upon contact with the motorist.
MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino had said the erring traffic constable had been fired. But then he also said that “the car owner may also be held liable for allegedly violating the Anti-Wiretapping Law.”
Photo: MMDA
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