Carabuena arraigned for attack on MMDA enforcer

MANILA, Philippines - More than a year after he allegedly beat up a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority traffic constable, tobacco firm executive Robert Blair Carabuena was arraigned in a Quezon City court yesterday.

Carabuena pleaded not guilty before Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 42 Judge Juris Dilinila-Callanta on the direct assault upon an agent of person in authority charge against him.

The case stemmed from the complaint filed by MMDA traffic constable Saturnino Fabros, who said he accosted Carabuena for a traffic violation. A TV5 crew caught the Aug. 11, 2012 incident on video, which has since gone viral on the Internet.

Speaking to reporters after the arraignment, Fabros said he was very happy that the case is finally moving. He said he will push through with the case even though he already forgave Carabuena for what he did.

The motorist earlier issued an apology before MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino.

Carabuena claimed that he tried to remove the enforcer’s hat to see his face after the enforcer allegedly hit his car and cursed at him.

“If in the process of removing his hat, I accidentally hit his face, this was only caused and provoked by no other than Fabros himself,” he said.

The next hearing is set on Nov. 11.