MMDA now prohibits vlogging of operations

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Friday that its employees and private individuals are now prohibited from vlogging the agency's operations after an official faced a complaint over a viral video.

In a statement, the MMDA said its chief Romando Artes has ordered that people should refrain from vlogging, recording, posting, and other forms of documentation of the agency’s operations.

“As an offshoot of the isolated incident recently in one of the agency's clearing operations, Artes ordered the prohibition of vlogging, recording, posting, and other forms of documentation of MMDA operations by its employees during official work hours and by private vloggers as well,” the MMDA said.

“Photos and videos of operations shall be posted by its Public Information Office via Facebook, X, Instagram, etcetera,” the agency added.

On Thursday. Police Captain Erik Felipe filed a cyber libel case against MMDA's Special Operations Group - Strike Force head Gabriel Go who berated him during a clearing operation in Quezon City.

Hours before the filing of the complaint, Go publicly apologized to Felipe.

Last week, the MMDA official issued a ticket to Felipe for the motorcycles parked on the sidewalk in front of a police station in Quezon City. Felipe apologized to Go but the latter reportedly did not like the manner it was given.

Go uploaded the video which became viral online.

Artes said the decision on the administrative case against Go is expected to be released on Friday.

“Sa ngayon, wala naman pong suspension na ipinataw kay Mr. Go pero tuloy po yung pagdinig ng administrative case niya,” Artes said.

(As of now, there is no suspension imposed on Mr. Go but the hearing on his administrative case is ongoing.)

“Kahapon, I understand nag-file na siya ng kanyang sagot doon sa show cause order natin. So I-expect niyo po baka within the day we’ll come up with a decision kung ano po yung magiging hatol kay Mr. Go,” he added.

(Yesterday, I understand he filed his response to our show cause order. So expect that maybe within the day we’ll come up with a decision on Mr. Go’s case.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News