Enter into an agreement on traffic management

Malacañang suggested yesteday to Metro Manila mayors who insist on taking over traffic management from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the MMDA.

Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye told The STAR yesterday that this would provide a solution to the ongoing dispute over traffic management but this agreement should bind only the incumbent Metro Manila mayors.

Bunye said the Palace supports the legal opinion issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) stating that Republic Act 7924 or the MMDA Charter mandating that the MMDA is the agency authorized to issue traffic violation receipts (TVRs).

President Arroyo herself backed the DOJ ruling when she met the leaders of five major Metro Manila drivers and operators groups.

In an interview with Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao "Peewee" Trinidad, spokesman of the Metro Manila Mayors League, he said that the mayors will follow Malacañang’s position that traffic management should remain with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA)

Nevertheless, he added they would probably ask for a reconsideration.

"Malacañang is our immediate superior and we are bound to follow what they say," Trinidad told The STAR.

For his part, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando yesterday said he will also follow the directives of the President on the brewing issue on traffic management responsibility.

"I am an appointee of the President so whatever the President says, I will follow," Fernando said.

The MMDA had pushed for the implementation of a single ticketing system several weeks ago. However, the Metro Manila Mayors decided to take over the traffic management responsibilities of the MMDA.

Trinidad said he "does not subscribe" to the DOJ ruling that the MMDA is authorized to issue TVRs.

"With all due respect to DOJ Sec. Simeon Datumanong, I don’t subscribe to his ruling, which did not even mention the Supreme Court decision," Trinidad said.

The mayor was referring to the High Court’s ruling that the MMDA cannot takeover the traffic management in Bel Air Subdivision.

"Apparently, Malacañang has overlooked this decision. We will mention this when we ask for a reconsideration," Trinidad said. – With Nikko Dizon and Marvin Sy