Tolentino to law student: Come out, file complaint vs Adriatico

MANILA, Philippines - Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino on Monday dared a female law student to file a complaint against  traffic enforcer Jorbe Adriatico.

In television interview, the female law student who declined to be identified narrated her alleged hostile encounter with Adriatico, the same MMDA constable who was allegedly roughed up by Maserati driver Joseph Russel Ingco last week.

The law student said that during the first week of November, she asked the help of Adriatico when her car was hit by another vehicle while parked along Banawe Street in Quezon City.

She said in interviews that Adriatico, instead of assisting her, cursed at her and spat on the ground.

The law student claimed that because of Adriatico's manner, she got angry and confronted the traffic enforcer, who then allegedly took out a mobile phone and started recording her.

She added that Adriatico even threatened to share the video on social media while taking footage of her.

Tolentino said that the female law student should surface and file a formal complaint against Adriatico.

"The law student is welcome to file a complaint against Adriatico and an administrative hearing will be conducted, but right now wala pa," the MMDA chief said.

In a separate interview, Adriatico denied the female law student's allegation and claimed that he was the one who was verbally harassed.

The MMDA constable said that the law student became impatient while waiting for the owner of the vehicle who bumped her car.

He said that the law student screamed and cursed at him because of the delay. He said that the law student even identified herself as a lawyer.

Adriatico also said that as a matter of procedure, he video-taped the supposed verbal abuse by the law student.

Tolentino, meanwhile, said that the use of a video camera may not be used against Adriatico because it is a standard procedure for traffic enforcers record traffic-related incidents for credibility purposes, particularly in areas not covered by CCTV cameras.

The MMDA chairman also clarified that the issue about Adriatico and the female student is not related with the incident involving Ingco.