Here’s an email that’s going around lately. It’s originally entitled “How you can challenge petty abuses of MMDA personnel…”
I just reached my limit last week-end, and decided to take action against the abusive MMDA enforcers. I basically called up the MMDA head office and inquired from the Personnel Officer, Antonio Pagulayan, to clarify their policies. Here is what I got.
If any of these abuses seem familiar to you, Mr. Pagulayan 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 will 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 2 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 one lane to the left or right is not swerving, no matter where on the road you do it. And it is even less of a violation when you do it with a signal. Swerving is defined as shifting 2 or more lanes very quickly. So you can argue your way out of this, and 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 go out of the yellowlane, 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. He recommends actually receiving the ticket in some instances, so that you can report the officer who did it.
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.
So go out and enjoy! And drive safely!!!
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by islander
17 Nov 2007 at 14:10
Ei! this helps a lot Sir!
by Greg Moreno
17 Nov 2007 at 21:50
Finally, something to use against those abusive MMDA officers.
Just a tip, chunk the mobile phone numbers so it is easier to read, for example 0920 – 938- 9861
by normanski
18 Nov 2007 at 00:47
Swerving is NOT a violation?! Some MMDA personnel are really crooks, an MMDA officer tried to apprehend me near Ortigas flyover when I switched lane because of a new metal barrier they installed. He’s claiming it was swerving though I was able to argue my way out. It’s a good thing I have read this post, now I have something to smack up their faces next time around.
by Atty. Fred
19 Nov 2007 at 13:24
You’re welcome, Islander.
Greg, thanks for the helpful suggestion. It has been implemented.
Normanski, just for our peace of mind, I’m still verifying if swerving indeed is not a violation. =)
by Hector D. Malonzo
20 Aug 2008 at 21:06
Good Day For clarification and information only? Bakit laging may nakabantay na mmda enforcer sa foot bridge ng magallanes during night time waiting for violation of swerving wherein mas kailangan nilang bantayan ang mga bus na nakapila and at the same time mabantayan ang mga pasahero since madilim ang lugar na ito.
bakit? laging may traffic enforcer along edsa between magallanes and pasay road every sunday and holiday namaluwag ang traffic waiting for car na pumasok sa yellow lane. I think dapat ibuhos na mga traffic enforcer ang pagdisiplina sa mga bus driver especially guadalupe area and cubao.
thak you very much
hector
by Eric G. Nepomuceno
21 Jan 2009 at 13:44
I noticed that many taxis uses EDSA infront of SM Megamall just before MRT Ortigas Station as terminal and MMDA traffic enforcers were not doing anything to stop them. I hope something will be done to stop these taxis w/c only adds to traffic problem in the area.
by Eric G. Nepomuceno
21 Jan 2009 at 13:58
I’m a regular commuter passing through Ortigas in Pasig. Everyday commuters & motorists suffers from heavy traffic that reaches IPI near the Rosario Bridge. Following are my observations on the cause of heavy traffic:
1. Left turn opening to Green Meadows
2. Opening to lanuza St. where vehicles could make a left turn from Ortigas
3. Opening infront of Meralco gate
For me it’s acceptable for the the openings to Green Meadows & Lanuza since it serves as an alternate route but finf it unacceptable the opening infront of Meralco gate that serves only as a private opening for vehicles going to & from Meralco and not as an alternative route that leads to a steet. Add to that the pedestrian crossing usually for Meralco employees. Traffic is light after passing Meralco and I think closing that opening (Meralco gate) will geatly ese traffic in that area for the benefit of more people than the few “privileged” Meralco people. I also think that putting a footbridge infront of Meralco will also be a good alternative than having a pedestrian crossing, afterall the sidewalk is wide that could accomodate that footbridge. I hope MMDA can do something to help us commuters & motorists who suffers everyday from heay traffic in that area.
by Teodoro M. Jimenez
27 Jul 2009 at 19:29
Dear Sir,
Good day to you,I just want to report to you on what i have experienced last July 21,2009 at around 07:30 am. at C3 corner A. Bonifacio ave.I was extorted by one MMDA traffic police force assigned on this area Accusing me of bitting yellow light. At that time it was a green light so I proceeded however the car in front of me was moving slowly and i was already more than halfway of the crossing the MMDA stop me took my license and extorted me with 100 pesos.If I wasn’t going to attend a seminar at that time I would have contested that wrong doing.I hope this complain be given action.
by jojo magallanes
05 Dec 2009 at 17:59
Sir, maari po bang mapagbawalan ang mga jeepney na gumamit o magpatugtog ng mga cds at radio? madalas po kasing nagiging resulta ito ng hindi pagkakaintindihan ng pasahero at drivers. Masyado po malakas magpatutog (nakakatulig at di maayos ang kanilang mga speakers)ang mga ito at kadalasang nirereklamo ng mga tulad naming pasahero. Marami pong pasahero na may kasamang sanggol o matatanda. Ito po ay talagang hindi nakakatulong sa amin maging sa kanila. Maraming Salamat po.