Carabuena arraigned today

MANILA, Philippines - Robert Blair Carabuena, the motorist who was videotaped assaulting a Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcer last year, is scheduled to enter his plea today on the direct assault charges filed against him.

Carabuena is set to be indicted before Judge Juris Dilinila-Callanta of the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 42. His arraignment last month was deferred after he failed to attend due to gastroenteritis.

The judge issued a warrant for his arrest, saying that sickness is not a ground for suspension of arraignment under the Rules of the Court. She also ordered Carabuena to post  bail amounting to P24,000.

The case against him was filed in connection with the complaint of MMDA constable Saturnino Fabros. On Aug. 11, 2012, a television news crew videotaped Carabuena physically assaulting Fabros, who flagged him for a traffic violation.