MANILA, Philippines -- Peek-a-boo!

A public rights lawyer has criticized the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for building a footbridge in the University Belt area that he claimed ?exposed? instead of protected female students, especially those wearing skirts.

In a June 21 letter to MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, lawyer Ernesto Francisco Jr. complained that the design of the crossover steel-type footbridge on Legarda Street corner C. M. Recto Avenue violated the right to privacy and even contributed to the ?indignity and humiliation? of its female users.

?This is because the steel footbridge is designed in such a way that there are open and uncovered spaces between the steps of its staircases and also, along the sides of the staircases and main bridge. These open and uncovered spaces expose the privacy of female pedestrians, mostly students and employees in uniforms, using the footbridge,? he said in a three-page letter.

Traffic, safety reasons

The footbridge, which was opened on June 15 by the MMDA, was aimed at easing traffic in the area and ensuring the safety of pedestrians, mostly students of schools in the area.

However, Francisco narrated that when he passed by the structure last week, he saw several pedicab drivers standing near the stairs of the foobridge.

?I saw the situation. They were kidding around and laughing. Then I noticed what they were watching. So I said something has to be done because those students were unaware of the situation,? he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

He added one of the pedicab drivers even sat in his vehicle which he had parked right underneath the stairs for a better view.

Francisco said he wondered why the structure was unlike some of the footbridges on Edsa which were ?covered.?

Legal action

?I will find out [today] what their action is. If they don?t act, we?re going to file an injunction to stop the usage of the bridge, and a mandamus so they would be ordered to correct it. We cannot take this for granted. We have to be sensitive about this,? he stressed.

The MMDA, however, said the bridge?s ?openness? was meant to counter criminals who would otherwise be hidden from view.

?[Being exposed] is less harmful than if we covered that and somebody?s waiting behind or underneath that cover. What?s more important is the security aspect,? said MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno.

He explained that this was also why they were removing obstructions on sidewalks which could be used by criminals as hiding places.