Isko calls for abolition of Manila's tricycle regulatory body

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso on Monday asked Vice Mayor Honey Lacuña and the city council to abolish the Manila Tricycle Regulatory Office due to alleged corruption.

Moreno made the announcement after Monday's flag-raising ceremony.

According to the mayor, officials of the MTRO extort money from sidecar and tricycle drivers so that they can be allowed to travel even in areas where they are prohibited. He lamented how this practice makes the poor suffer.

He said the MTRO is the office that handles operation of three-wheeled vehicles.

“Hindi pa rin natigil yung piso piso sa sidecar boy. Hindi pa rin natigil ‘yung P100 every week. Hindi pa rin natigil yung isti-isticker. So ayaw nilang matigil o di titigilan ko na yung trabaho nila,” Moreno said.

(The one peso scheme for the sidecar boy is still at play. The P100 (bribery) every week is still there. The sticker scheme is still at play. They don’t like to stop so I will stop their work.)

Moreno stressed that it’s high time for the Manila government to end corruption.

“Para wala na ‘yung holy cow, para wala na ‘yung political accommodation,” the mayor said while calling on drivers to also stop corrupt practices.

(So that there won’t be any sacred cow, so that there’d be no more political accommodation.)

During the weekly directional meeting, Moreno also warned the Manila department and bureau chiefs that he would abolish their office if they cannot discipline their employees.

“I will not allow this opportunity to pass as if I am just the usual mayor,” the mayor was quoted as saying.