MMDA: Courtesy to VIPs is normal

MANILA, Philippines — It is normal to “give courtesy” to very important persons or VIPs like high-ranking officials in using public roads.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) acting chairman Romando Artes said this in response to the viral video on social media that showed a traffic jam along Commonwealth Avenue caused by the passing of a convoy.

“We extend courtesy especially to the President and Vice President because they have security concerns,” Artes said at a press conference on Oct. 6.

Security is on top of mind for the said “courtesy” and “not for anything else, privilege and entitlement,” he maintained.

The “courtesy” also applies to foreign dignitaries like heads of state visiting the country as well as executives of FIBA who took part in the country’s hosting of the FIBA World Cup, he added.

The MMDA would arrange a traffic management plan to avoid traffic jams, Artes said.

It is the same as the courtesy given to high-ranking domestic and foreign officials to be prioritized in landing aircraft they are riding, he also said.

Artes added the “courtesy” for officials using public roads “depends on a case-to-case basis” and there are “no specific rules.”

Previously, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) declared it plans to file a cybercrime complaint against Janus Munar, who allegedly filmed the video asking a policeman what was causing the traffic standstill along Commonwealth Avenue.

The cop replied there was a “VP,” which Munar then shared to other motorists that “VP Sara Duterte” caused the traffic jam.

Munar denied he was the one or he was related to the one who took the video.

The QCPD has relieved from his post Executive Master Sergeant Verdo Pantollano, the cop whom Munar allegedly talked to.

QCPD director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan has also apologized to Vice President Sara Duterte for the incident.