• NEWS ROUNDUP •
MMDA, LTO team up vs recidivist traffic violators
TAKING tough measures against traffic violators, the
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has finalized an agreement with the
Land Transportation Office that could help discipline recidivist traffic
violators.
Under the interconnectivity project between the MMDA and LTO,
drivers with unsettled traffic violations would not be able to renew their
license at the LTO without first getting clearance from the MMDA.
Starting next month, the MMDA will forward all the names of
drivers with unsettled traffic violations to LTO that will then create an alarm
on specific drivers.
MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, who formally signed the
agreement at the LTO head office in Quezon City yesterday, said the MMDA can now
ensure that drivers will settle their violations and pay the fines at the MMDA.
The project will be using the MMDA Integrated Law Enforcement
System (ILES), a web base facility that shall allow the MMDA to interconnect
with the Department of Transportation/LTO – information technology system
online. – Ashzel Hachero
Atienza welcomes suit against EO 003
ENVIRONMENT Secretary Lito Atienza on Friday welcomed the
motion filed last Jan. 30 by the some of the poorest women in Manila asking the
Court of Appeals to nullify for being unconstitutional Executive Order 003 which
he issued as Manila mayor on Feb. 29, 2000.
EO 003 directed city hospitals and health centers in Manila
to stop the distribution of contraceptives and surgical sterilization.
Petitioners said the order violated the right of spouses to
"found a family in accordance with their religious convictions and the demands
of responsible parenthood," as well as the right of families to "participate in
the planning and implementation of policies and programs that affect them." They
added that Atienza had no authority to enact legislative measures in the guise
of executive orders, and EO 003 violated international treaties on family
planning.
Atienza said the move "will allow us to uphold the legality
of my administration’s policy to promote correct values among Manilans and
defend the sanctity of life." He insisted that EO 003 was in accordance with the
Constitution "which is clearly pro-life, strengthening our genuine Filipino and
Christian values."
Atienza said Manila did not ban contraceptives during his
term but city government-run health centers and hospitals pushed natural family
planning methods, responsible parenthood and stopped the practice of using local
government facilities to promote and dispense contraceptives like condoms and
birth control pills.
"Rather than spending precious time and money on anti-life
measures, the Atienza administration focused on genuine sustainable development
under the Buhayin ang Maynila program which provided education, more jobs and
livelihood opportunities for Manilans," Atienza said. "We are positive that the
solution to poverty is always development – jobs and livelihood, not birth
control."
Cop accused of rape kills self
A POLICE sergeant accused of raping a rookie policewoman shot
himself dead Friday morning while undergoing investigation in Iloilo City.
A report to Camp Crame identified the suicide as SPO1 Jose
Palcis, 48, detailed with the Passi City Police Station, and a resident of
Barangay Arac, Passi City. He was being investigated for the alleged rape when
he suddenly grabbed the service firearm of PO2 Neil Amador and shot himself.
Police are still investigating the incident. – Raymond
Africa
Woman dies in hit-and-run
A WOMAN was killed and a man was seriously injured in a
pre-dawn hit-and-run accident involving two vans that snarled traffic along Gil
Puyat Avenue, Makati City.
Authorities identified the fatality as Magdalena Sebastian,
49, of Ermin Garcia Street in Quezon City and the injured as Rey Sarno, 43, who
was brought to the Makati Medical Center for treatment.
Investigating officer PO3 Abner Bibon of the Makati Traffic
Enforcement Unit (MTEU) said Sebastian’s Nissan Vanette was hit by a speeding
Nissan Urban while cruising near Bautista street in Barangay Palanan at around 4
a.m.
Bibon said the Vanette was carrying "halaya" and was heading
for the South Superhighway from Pasay City when the accident took place. He said
the driver of the Urban fled the crime scene without helping his victim who died
while being taken to the hospital by responding authorities.
Bibon said MTEU is coordinating with the Land Transportation
Office to identify the owner of the Nissan Urban. – Ashzel Hachero
3 brothers dead in road
mishap
THREE siblings were killed after their vehicle hit a wall in
Sta. Maria, Laguna late Wed-nesday night.
Senior Supt. Felipe Rojas, Laguna police director, identified
the victims as Larry, 27; Francis, 22; and Nicholas, 35; all surnamed Comia, and
residents of Barangay J. Santiago in Sta. Maria.
Larry was reportedly at the wheel of a jeepney (VCR-320) with his two
brothers as passengers when the vehicle’s brakes failed and they hit a concrete
wall in Barangay Bagumbayan. The brothers were rushed to the nearest hospital
but were declared dead by attending doctors due to severe body injuries. –
Raymond Africa
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