Bayani still unfazed by attacks, legal battle

Amidst attacks by some local executives of Metro Manila and two legal battles, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando remains unfazed and is determined to continue with his projects that are being targeted.

During his weekly radio program on dzBB the other day, Fernando answered criticisms launched against him by his critics, including various transport groups, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza as he appealed for better understanding of the legal issues being faced by the agency,

Earlier, it was reported that certain transport groups were planning to file charges against the MMDA for continuing to implement the Metropolitan Traffic Ticketing (MTT) system and the No Contact Traffic Apprehension (NCTA) scheme despite a May 4 decision of a Makati court to shoot down the two projects for lack of the necessary approval from Metro Mayors Council.

"Sumusunod kami sa batas. At di lamang yan, nagpapatupad din kami ng batas. Dapat unawain nila ito," Fernando stressed.

Makati RTC Branch 145 Judge Cesar Santamaria had ordered MMDA to stop implementing the projects, but also gave the agency 15 days to appeal.

Fernando noted that the Office of Solicitor General and their legal offices are working on the filing of a motion for reconsideration with the lower court and a motion for appeal with the Court of Appeals if the former is denied.

"Wag sanang isipin na mali ang MMDA. Gusto lang naming linawin ang desisyon kasi naguguluhan ang mga tao. Marami kaming natatanggap na tawag. Apektado na ang operasyon namin," Fernando lamented.

He also slammed his critics, whom he claimed are taking advantage of the decision in furthering their interests against the MMDA.

"Sa kagustuhan lang na patunayan ang kanilang kapangayarihan, pasasamain nila ang MMDA. Mali naman yata iyon. Nagtatrabaho kami dito at tinutulungan na nga sila," he stressed.

In a meeting last Friday, the Metro Mayors League (MML) sought the intervention of Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes in resolving the conflict between the mayors and the MMDA, which centers on the agency’s projects.

The MML argued that the Fernando’s projects are questionable because they were not consulted with them.

The mayors also capitalized on a recent Supreme Court ruling that clarified the mandate of the MMDA on traffic operations, which they initially thought had limited the powers of the agency, but was actually in the agency’s favor.