MMDA eyes reviving use of cameras vs traffic violators
The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has proposed the revival of the controversial plan to take photographs of traffic violators in the metropolis and use them as evidence to collect fines.
Transport organizations are expected to also revive their protest against the traffic scheme that was declared unconstitutional by the Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) in 2005 after motorists complained that the program compels alleged traffic violators to pay the corresponding fines before they can contest their alleged violations.
MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, however, clarified that the revised guidelines for the No Physical Contact Policy (NPCP) will include a provision to defer payment of fines if the alleged violator files an appeal or contests the supposed traffic violations he or she committed.
The new guidelines will be implemented to avoid any violation of the Constitution and make the scheme legal to be more effective in enforcing existing traffic rules and regulations in Metro Manila.
He said the revised guidelines now allow violators to defer payment of fines and penalties should they decide to contest or protest their apprehension.
The Makati court ruling forced the MMDA to revise the old NPCP created through Resolution No. 02-49 and was imposed for two years.
“The re-implementation of the No Physical Contact Policy and its noble objective can never be realized unless the constitutional infirmity being referred to by the court is rectified,” Fernando said.
Under the new rules, the MMDA said the NPCP will apply to private and public vehicle drivers at random. The MMDA will summon the traffic violator who will receive copies of the photograph showing how a traffic law was violated and will also indicate the actual date, location, and time of alleged commission.
In addition, the recipient will be informed that he has the right to file a protest before the traffic adjudication board within seven days or the right to contest will be deemed waived.
The revised rules also note that if a driver files a protest within seven days upon receipt of the summons, he can postpone the payment of whatever fines and fees that he is being instructed to settle.
If the driver fails to pay the penalty for the traffic violation committed after seven days and no protest was filed after receiving final summons, the MMDA will place the driver’s name and license plate of the vehicle on the alarm list.
Once spotted by traffic enforcers in Metro Manila, the driver will be apprehended and the vehicle impounded.
The MMDA’s revised NPCP will be implemented as soon as the new memorandum creating the scheme is published in two newspapers of general circulation as required by law.
Meanwhile, a wayward sports utility vehicle, driven by a drunk driver, plowed into a funeral procession in
The slain victims were identified as Jay Carmelo, 34, and Marie Joy Quilar, 38, Susana Rodriguez, 40, who all sustained fatal head and body injuries. – With Non Alquitran
Superintendent Sotero Ramos Jr.,
Police said the funeral procession was cruising along
Fernando was apparently driving under the influence drunk when the Suzuki Samurai with license plate WGE 731 plowed into the mourners.
Police probers said Fernando will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries. - With Non Alquitran
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