2 more b’gay chiefs sued for tolerating illegal parking

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) filed administrative charges against two more barangay captains from Quezon City and Parañaque for allegedly tolerating illegal parking.

The MMDA on Monday filed supplemental complaints for neglect of duty against Elmer Maturan of Barangay Bagumbayan, Quezon City and Michael Philip Factor of Barangay Don Galo, Parañaque City before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Similar complaints were also filed against Antonio Benito Calma Jr. of Barangay Don Manuel and Clarito de Jesus of Barangay Veterans’ Village last Friday.

The MMDA accused the four barangay chiefs of “unresponsiveness, apathy or inaction” in letting vehicle owners illegally park again after the agency conducted clearing operations in their respective communities. 

The agency said that the barangay captains, after asking last January for their roads to be cleared of vehicles, should have prevented “obstructions from returning to their RROWs (road right-of-the-way).”

Lawyer Victor Nuñez, MMDA liaison officer for government agencies, said the Local Government Code “mandates barangay officials to clean and clear the driveways, pedestrian areas and even esteros of any obstruction.”

Three more barangay captains, all from Quezon City, would also be charged after the Holy Week, the MMDA said.