MMDA: NCR LGUs can still issue traffic violation tickets as SC decision not yet executory

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday said local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region (NCR) can still issue traffic violation tickets as the Supreme Court decision saying otherwise is "not yet executory."

"Iyan nga po ay hindi pa pinal dahil po hindi naman po nakalagay sa desisyon na ito'y immediately executory. Meron pa pong period ang ating local chief executives na mag-file ng appeal or motion for reconsideration,” said MMDA acting chairperson Romando Artes in an interview on Unang Balita. 

(That is not yet final because it is not stated in the decision that it is immediately executory. Our local chief executives still have time to file an appeal or motion for reconsideration.)

"Habang dinidinig pa po yan ay puwede pa pong manghuli ang mga local traffic enforcers," added Artes. 

(While the process is ongoing, local traffic enforcers can still issue traffic violation tickets.)

Recently, the SC ruled that LGUs in Metro Manila cannot issue traffic violation receipts or ordinance violation receipts (OVRs) against drivers unless authorized by the MMDA.

In a 42-page decision, the SC En Banc issued a permanent injunction to enjoin the LGUs from further issuing OVRs and confiscating licenses through their own traffic enforcers.

It declared null and void sections of the ordinances of Makati, Taguig, Paranaque, Pasay, Quezon City, San Juan, Navotas, Las Piñas, Pasig, Muntinlupa, Mandaluyong, Valenzuela, Caloocan, Manila, and Pateros.

“The Court thus declares as invalid the common provision in the said traffic codes or ordinances of the LGUs in Metro Manila empowering each of them to issue OVRs to erring drivers and motorists,” the SC said.

According to the Court, the MMDA has already issued a joint circular implementing the single ticketing system in Metro Manila.

Artes, meanwhile, said that the MMDA is already looking into the possible implications in case LGU traffic enforcers will be prohibited from issuing tickets.

“Additional work lamang po in terms of deputization at pinag-aaralan din po namin yung ibang implications dahil may mga gaps naman po sa ticketing system at yung local traffic ordinance,” he said.

(It will be additional work in terms of deputization and we are also studying the other implications because there are gaps in the ticketing system and the local traffic ordinance)

“”For example, hindi namin na-cover sa single ticketing yun pong franchise ng tricycle dahil ang nag-determine po niyan ay mga local government,” he added.

(For example, we were not able to cover the tricycle franchise under the single ticketing because the ones who determined that were the local governments.) —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News