MMDA sacks rescue worker seen taking bribe

MANILA, Philippines –  The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has fired a member of its Road Emergency Group for allegedly taking a bribe from a motorist involved in a road accident in Pasig City Thursday.

In a statement, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said Rodelio Sison was given the boot after he was photographed clutching P1,000 bills, allegedly given by motorist Vincent Escobar.

“We will not tolerate wrongdoers among our ranks. Sison was caught red-handed.  Let this serve as a warning to all our officers and personnel,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino said Escobar, whose red Ferrari slammed into the center island along Ortigas Avenue, refused to cooperate with the traffic enforcers and would not let anyone touch his car.

According to ABS-CBN, the red 1999 Ferrari Spider (XRJ-373) caught the attention of motorists and passersby after it skidded towards the center island. Escobar said he lost control of the car when a passenger jeepney suddenly stopped in front of him while he was making a U-turn along Meralco Avenue at around 5 a.m.

The minor accident caused around two hours of traffic as authorities had to wait for a flatbed wrecker of the Automobile Association of the Philippines to remove the vehicle.

ABS-CBN reported that Escobar said he decided to cover his sports car after a crowd gathered to look at what happened to his vehicle.

Tolentino also urged motorists to refrain from offering bribes. “Bribery is a two-way transaction. We call on the citizenry to simply follow traffic laws and uphold the highest standards of discipline and road courtesy,” he said.