Traffic enforcer in Cebu City sacked for taking bribe

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has ordered the immediate termination of a traffic enforcer in a viral video receiving bribe money from a traffic violator.

 “This enforcer has been in public service for 25 years. Pero sa kapila na nako pag-ingon, I will not tolerate any form of corruption in my administration,” said Labella.

“I have given instructions to the HRDO (Human Resource and Development Office) to immediately terminate this personnel. Sa katong nakapanag-iya ani nga video, mamahimong mo adto sa among City Legal Office for the filing of appropriate case,” he added.

Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) officer-in-charge Lyntoni Alburo said the personnel involved was a casual employee assigned to run after smoke-belchers.

Based on the viral video, the driver appears to have been apprehended because of smoke-belching violation. Alburo said she wants to hear both sides as part of due process.

She requested the personnel involved and the driver, including the person who took the video, to visit her office to talk about the incident.

“Kung atong basehan ang sa video, mura man siya’g putol gud. Mura ang ila nalang gyu’ng gipakita, ang the time na nidawat siya, so from the beginning wala. Pero sure ko di to mao ang full video. Naa gyud to siyay initial, so kato siya, gipakita nila diretso na gyud sa pagdawat niya sa kantidad,” she said.

“Unta makita nato nagda ba siya’g citation ticket, nagtunol ba siya, nag-issue ba siya. Putol ba,” she added.

But considering the post of Labella ordering for the immediate termination of the said personnel, Alburo said that there is no need for him to go to work.

She said the CCTO personnel initially denied the allegation in a phone call, but said she wanted to personally talk to him. — FPL (FREEMAN)