But MMDA still optimistic about implementation
MANILA, Philippines – Eight of 17 Metro Manila mayors Wednesday junked the proposed single traffic ticketing system for the metropolis.
The decision, which surprised many, was made a day after Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Bayani Fernando announced he planned to implement the Metro Traffic Ticketing System (MTTS) immediately.
Mayor Jejomar Binay, who called the mid-morning meeting of mayors and their representatives at the Makati City Hall, said the eight local executives agreed to reject Executive Order 712.
The executive order mandated the implementation of the single-ticketing scheme.
The MTTS seeks to make uniform the system of issuing traffic tickets and paying fines in Metro Manila.
Despite this development, Fernando, who said earlier opposition among mayors to the scheme had weakened, remained optimistic the proposal would be adopted.
“I see no reason why one meeting would change the minds of the mayors all of a sudden,” Fernando said.
Binay said Fernando was not the MMDA. “The policymaking body of the MMDA is the Metro Manila Council, which is composed of city mayors,” the Makati chief executive said.
“The MMDA has no legislative power and the single-ticketing system is a legislative function,” Binay said.
The meeting Wednesday was attended by mayors and representatives of the cities of Manila, Pasay, San Juan, Taguig, Navotas, Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa and Makati.
San Juan Mayor J.V. Ejercito said EO 712 was “illegal” and ran counter to existing laws giving the power to legislate to municipal governments.
Pasay Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad, on the other hand, said they still did not know the details of the scheme.
Binay said they would file a damage suit against Fernando and the MMDA if EO 712 was implemented despite its “legal defects.”
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim’s representative indicated that, while they also opposed the MTTS, the city would lower fines for traffic violations.
Binay, Ejercito and Trinidad said it was highly unlikely that the MTTS would push through.
Fernando said earlier the scheme would be in place in Metro Manila within 15 days despite continuing objections from some cities.
“I see no reason why the mayors would defy an order that came from the President herself,” he said.
He said the scheme already had the approval of the majority of Metro Manila mayors. Only five had not signed the resolution – Makati, Pasay, Navotas, Taguig and Manila.
Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos said Wednesday the Metro Manila Council would meet on Monday to discuss the scheme that he feared could diminish the autonomy of local governments.
He urged other mayors, particularly those from the opposition, to attend so they could make a united stand.
The Mandaluyong mayor said they would discuss how to “protect their autonomy” and find a solution acceptable to both local governments and the transport sector.
Abalos said he did not sign an MMDA resolution supporting the scheme. Fernando’s statement that opposition to the system was dwindling was false, he added.
At present, Metro Manila local governments issue different traffic violation tickets and impose varying fines.
Under the MTTS, erring drivers would pay fines via private banks.
Abalos said the MMDA had no police power as contained in a Supreme Court ruling. The proposal undermined the local government’s authority on the streets, he added.
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