MANILA, Philippines – A group of demonstrators Wednesday lighted candles at the spot where an eye doctor was killed in a vehicular accident on Edsa Santolan before dawn Tuesday.

“We are here to mourn the death of another motorist because of the incompetence of people who were tasked to put order and ensure the safety of our roads,” Mavic Paguntalan, spokesperson of the Peace for Development, a nongovernment organization, said.

The group was joined by members of Kadamay, an urban poor organization.

They called for the ouster of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Bayani Fernando whom they criticized for his “no speed limit” policy on Edsa and “dictatorial ways.”

Paguntalan said they blamed the MMDA for the death of Dr. Francisco Sarabia who was killed when the Mercedes Benz he was driving burst into flames after it was hit by a speeding Joanna Jesh Transport passenger bus on Edsa.

“Dr. Sarabia is the latest victim of the chaos in Edsa and the MMDA should be held responsible for his death and other motorists hurt in the accident,” she said.

Apart from Sarabia, the grandson of Dr. Federico Sarabia – the country’s first optometrist – four people were hurt in the accident.

“He should be removed from his post for incompetence and for imposing on us his dictatorial ways,” Paguntalan added, referring to Fernando.

Rep. Roilo Golez also blamed Fernando for encouraging “speed maniacs” on Edsa after declaring that the country’s main highway has no speed limits.

“Fernando should be held liable for the fiery death of Dr. Sarabia in that deadly accident in Edsa involving two speeding buses and Dr. Sarabia’s car. Fernando had declared in Congress that there was no speed limit on Edsa, giving speed maniacs a license to kill. Fernando should apologize to Dr. Sarabia’s family and the people for his irresponsible statement,” the congressman said. Fernando made the “no speed limit” comment during the House subcommittee deliberations on the MMDA 2009 budget.

Golez questioned the legal basis of Fernando’s statement after the head of the MMDA Traffic Enforcement Center, Executive Director Angelito Vergel de Dios, contradicted his boss’ statement.

Fernando later claimed that “a stupid remark deserved a stupid answer.” He then clarified that enforcing the speed limit of 40 kph on Edsa would be a pointless exercise, considering the large volume of vehicles on the highway and the lack of radars to monitor vehicle speed.

Under Republic Act No. 4136, the speed limit is 40 kph for cars and motorcycles and 30 kph for trucks and buses on “through streets” or boulevards.

Quezon City Police District Traffic head, Senior Supt. Norberto Babagay, said the driver of the Joanna Jesh bus, Martineto Madrid, has been charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and several counts of serious physical injury and damage to property. With Gil Cabacungan Jr.