MMDA drops appeal on SC ruling

March 13, 2024 | 12:00am

Single ticketing system

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority would no longer file a motion for the Supreme Court (SC) to reconsider its decision on the MMDA’s single ticketing system, an official said yesterday.

The decision handed down by the high court on July 11, 2023, but released only recently, prohibits local government units in the National Capital Region from issuing their own violation tickets and the LGUs’ traffic enforcers from confiscating driver’s licenses unless they are deputized by the MMDA.

Acting MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said in a press briefing in Pasig that they have discussed the legal remedies.

“Upon the advice of our counsel, which is the Office of the Solicitor General, we will not be filing a motion for reconsideration,” Artes said.

San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora – president of the Metro Manila Council, the MMDA’s policy-making body – stressed that while the option for LGUs to file a motion for reconsideration was discussed, it was ultimately decided that individual LGUs would make the choice.

He emphasized the importance of deputizing traffic enforcers to maintain order on the roads. 

Artes would deputize local traffic enforcers, streamlining the process and ensuring that motorists are aware of their authority to issue tickets.

“There is already a process for this and once they are deputized, they will wear an ID deputizing them by the MMDA so that motorists know that this traffic enforcer has the power or authority to issue a ticket,” Zamora said.