MMDA's Nebrija suspended after bus lane violation claim vs. Bong Revilla

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes on Wednesday afternoon said Task Force Special Operations chief Bong Nebrija will be put under preventive suspension starting Thursday.

"Ang decision and we discussed it kanina, we will suspend Col. Nebrija pending the investigation sa nangyari," Artes said during a press conference at the Senate with Nebrija and Senator Bong Revilla.

This, after Nebrija reported that Revilla was apprehended for using the EDSA bus lane. The senator denied that such incident occurred.

“My daily commute is from the south to the Senate and there is no possibility I will be on EDSA in Mandaluyong. When attending to official functions in the north, I take the Skyway from and back to the south,” he added.

Artes said Nebrija will be suspended to ensure a fair investigation into the issue. He explained this is not a penalty to Nebrija.

The suspension may take 15 to 30 days, Artes said, as they need to fully investigate the matter.

The investigation will focus on the lapses of the enforcers on site, the driver who tagged Revilla’s name, among others.

Artes said they will review CCTV footage to trace the vehicle that was involved so they can file a complaint with the Land Transportation Office, which can issue a show cause order and impose penalties against the driver involved.

Nebrija said he accepts the decision of the MMDA chairman, saying it is his responsibility being the commander of the task force.

“As the commander of the task force, the buck ends with me. I accept the responsibility. Kung isu-suspend ako ni chairman so be it,” he said.

“I would like to apologize. I will apologize. I'm really sorry. I already apologized kanina (earlier). Tao lang po tayo lahat tayo nagkakamali… Ako na po ang sasagot noon. I need to make decisions. It is not to ruin the senator (We’re just humans. We make mistakes but I will take the responsibility. I need to make decision and it is not to ruin the senator’s name),” he said.

Meanwhile, Revilla said he already accepted the apology of Nebrija and he will no longer seek the recall of the approval of MMDA’s budget in the Senate.

“Sa dami na ng mga pinagdaanan ko sa buhay, ayaw ko nang mangyari ang maling paratang. Masakit dahil maba-bash kami...Pero okay lang, I accept your apology. I'll leave it to you, chairman, kung ano ang magiging desisyon mo kay Col. Bong Nebrija. Sa akin lang I hope you (Nebrija) understand kung bakit naging ganito rekasyon ko,” the senator said.

(I have been through a lot and I don’t want my reputation to be besmirched. It’s already done and I accept your apology. I’ll leave it to you, chairman, the decision on what to do with Col. Bong Nebrija. I hope Nebrija understands why I reacted this way.)

At the same press conference, Nebrija explained that under the current guidelines, only public utility buses, emergency vehicles, and five government officials are allowed to use the EDSA bus lane.

These are the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, and the Chief Justice.

Currently, Artes said they are studying if officials with protocol plates 6, 7, and 8 or the Cabinet secretaries, senators, and congressmen, respectively, will be given the same privilege.

If they will grant such to the Cabinet secretaries, senators, and congressmen, Artes said the number of vehicles that can ply through the EDSA Busway will reach around 400 which could affect the mobility of public utility buses.

They are also considering the public’s sentiments if they will allow such.

Moreover, Artes said they are waiting for the Metro Manila Council’s signatures on the approved guidelines for MMDA enforcers’ use of body cameras.—AOL, GMA Integrated News