MMDA files raps vs ‘arrogant’ fiscal

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has filed a complaint against an “arrogant” Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutor for allegedly attempting to avoid being fined for illegal parking on Tuesday, an official said yesterday.

Bong Nebrija, MMDA supervising operations officer, said they have filed a complaint before the Land Transportation Office (LTO) asking for the suspension or revocation of Christine Villamora Estepa’s driver’s license. 

 Nebrija said they have also filed an administrative case before the DOJ against Estepa. 

 “Yes we could do that, but that’s too much for us. We already have the cooperation of the DOJ,” Nebrija said when asked if they are studying filing a disbarment case against Estepa.

 Estepa was not available for comment.  

 Estepa was caught in a 14-minute video arguing with MMDA traffic enforcers over her illegal parking violation during one of the agency’s operations along Mayon street near Suki Market in Quezon City.

 In the video posted on Gadget Addict’s Facebook page, Estepa insisted that Nebrija and the traffic enforcers give her “five minutes” before her vehicle (AAP-3064) is towed.

 The Gadget Addict page is run by a foreign video blogger who volunteers for the MMDA and joins Nebrija on the agency’s operations. 

 The video was viewed more than 10 million times and was shared more than 240 times with more than 100,000 likes and more than 150,000 reactions from netizens worldwide. 

Nebrija asked Estepa to surrender her driver’s license and pay the P200 fine for illegal parking. She raised her voice and allegedly hit one of the traffic enforcers. 

 Nebrija said the standoff ended when traffic police officers intervened, along with Estepa’s husband, who claimed she was pregnant.

 Over the years, Nebrija was involved in confrontations with an actress, a lawyer of the Commission on Audit, a Cabinet secretary’s brother, an Office of the Ombudsman employee and a police officer over traffic violations.

 He has also fined former Pampanga congressman Emigdio Lingad for violating the MMDA’s number coding scheme. 

Nebrija said the Estepas personally went to the agency’s office and made a public apology yesterday afternoon.

He said the MMDA will push through with the charges against the couple.