MMDA targets bribe-offering motorists
By Allison Lopez
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:08:00 09/21/2009
MANILA, Philippines—Starting this week, motorists with traffic violations can no longer count on their money to get them out of trouble.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced Sunday that it would suspend the license of drivers caught bribing traffic enforcers.
MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando said in a statement that aside from prosecuting enforcers who accept bribes, the agency would also punish motorists who offer money just to escape being given a traffic violation receipt.
“Along with our campaign to cleanse our ranks of corrupt enforcers who extort money from motorists, we are also going after errant drivers who think that they can always evade the law by offering bribes to enforcers who catch them,” Fernando said in Filipino.
He warned that first-time offenders would have their driver’s license suspended for six months.
For second-time offenders, however, their driver’s license will be revoked.
MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno said the campaign against bribe-offering drivers would start this week.
“We received reports that the first offer comes from the one being apprehended. That’s the reality of it,” he told the Inquirer.
He noted that usually, when an erring motorist hands his license over to an enforcer, there are already bills of money tucked inside the case.
“They’re equally responsible. With this, our enforcers can seize their license. Remember, it’s a criminal offense to [offer a] bribe,” Nacianceno added.
At the same time, he reminded drivers not to use the calling cards of MMDA officials to get away with a violation.