THE Land Transportation Office said it is
studying the filing of an administrative case against five
mayors of Metro Manila who continue to defy Malacañang over the
implementation of a single-ticketing system for traffic
violations in Metro Manila as contained in Executive Order 712.
The Palace issued EO 712 after the one-day
transport strike staged by public utility operators and drivers
two weeks ago.
"We're studying the filing of administrative
charges against the five city mayors who think they have their
own republics. LTO still adheres to RA 4136 (the Land
Transportation and Traffic Code enacted in 1964), and will
continue to do so," said LTO executive director Jimmy Pesigan.
"We are still weighing the issue. Of course,
we want to settle the confusion and conflict without aggravating
it," he added.
The five mayors who maintain that EO 712 is
illegal since the Local Government Code gives them sole
authority to decide on traffic rules within their own
jurisdiction are Jejomar Binay (Makati), Joseph Victor Ejercito
(San Juan), Tobias Tiangco (Navotas), Sigfrido Tiñga (Taguig)
and Wenceslao Trinidad (Pasay).
A meeting called by Binay last Wednesday
apparently added Muntinlupa Mayor Aldrin San Pedro and
Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos to the list of oppositors.
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim did not show up but indicated that
while he opposes the MTT, Manila would lower its traffic fines,
a tack Binay said the Makati government would also consider.
Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metropolitan
Manila Development Authority, which will implement the Metro
Traffic Ticketing (MTT) system, said he will meet with the
mayors on March 28 to resolve the impasse. "We in the MMDA hope
that through this dialogue we will finally be able to convince
those who remain opposed to the scheme," Fernando said.
He maintained that contrary to Binay's
assertion, the law that created the MMDA in 1995 has already
superseded the Local Government Code which was signed in 1995.
Binay said he and his fellow mayors will meet
again this morning to discuss their collective position on the
issue. He said they are prepared to sue Fernando and the MMDA if
he insists on implementing EO 712.
"If they suspend us, we will definitely file cases against
them for harassment, abuse of authority and willful disobedience
of the law. I am sure that the courts will rule in our favor,"
Binay said. - Randy Nobleza and Ashzel Hachero
