I call them the Hounds of New Manila, these yellow- or sometimes blue-clad traffic personnel from both the MMDA and the Quezon City traffic management group who man E. Rodriguez Avenue in the New Manila area in Quezon City. They prey on unsuspecting motorists making a left turn from Tomas Morato into E. Rod.
They accost an average of four cars an hour, more during the peak times of 8 to 10 in the morning and 5 to 7 in the afternoon. Almost always the offense cited is "swerving" or changing lanes when making the left turn. Once they have the motorist stopped, the well-rehearsed script ensues.
And if you insist to just be given a ticket they will stall and try to convince you to change your mind.
"Sir, baka mahirapan pa kayo. Matagal ang proceso..." they chant, as if they were even doing you a favor.
In the end, they usually prevail. And end up with at least a hundred pesos per car.
So much for the new administration's vision of a graft-free government. What ever happened to "ang matuwid na daan?"
Not too long after the new MMDA chairman assumed office last year, the following press release went the rounds advising motorists against abusive MMDA officers. Only when we re-read this do we realize that sadly, not much has changed in this office.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tools against abusive MMDA officers
Source: MMDA Personnel Officer Antonio Pagulayan
If any of these abuses seem familiar to you, Mr. Antonio Pagulayan (Personnel Officer) has asked that you call either the MMDA hotline (136) or call the METRO BASE at (0920) 938-9861 or (0920) 938-9875 and ask for an Inspectorate.
They should send inspectors to the place where these MMDA officers are extorting, even while you are arguing out of your apprehension.
1. MMDA officers are not allowed to group together in order to apprehend. They are not even allowed to stand together in groups of two or more. The only time they are allowed to work together is for special operations (probably when they apprehend groups of buses for smoke belching)
2. Swerving IS NOT a traffic violation. Moving from one lane to the left or right is not swerving, no matter where or what road. And it is even less of a violation when you do it with a signal. Swerving is defined as shifting two or more lanes very quickly. You can argue your way out of this or call the Metro Base for help.
3. Sadly, using the yellow lane is a traffic violation and will get you a ticket. However, buses are really not allowed to get out of the yellow lane, so if you see selective apprehension of private cars only, you may complain.
4. MMDA has confirmed that your license MAY NOT BE CONFISCATED at a traffic apprehension. The only time they can do so is if you are part of an accident, or it is your third violation and you have not settled your fines yet. They are only allowed to give you a ticket, which you can contest. Pagulayan recommends actually receiving the ticket in some instances, so that you can report the officer who did it.
5. Also, you are free to ask any of these officers for their "mission order" which is written by their supervisor. If they apprehend you for a violation that is not in their mission order for the day, you can report them and they will receive disciplinary action.
