Marcos rejects increasing illegal parking fines in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has rejected the Metro Manila Council’s proposal to increase fines for illegal parking.

In a video posted on Wednesday, Marcos said that it was important to prioritize discipline.

READ: Metro Manila mayors eye higher fines for illegal parking

“Para patuloy ang magandang serbisyo ng ating pamahalaan ay hindi ko pinayagan ang Joint Traffic Circular No. 01 ng Metro Manila Council tungkol sa probisyon na tataasan ang multa para sa mga illegal parking mula sa isang libong piso na hanggang apat na libong piso; maiiwan na sa isang libong piso lamang,” Marcos said in the video.

(To continue good government service, I have turned down Joint Traffic Circular No. 01 of the Metro Manila Council regarding the provision on increasing the fine for illegal parking from P1,000 to P4,000; it will be left at only P1,000.)

READ: No parking, no illegal garaging

The said joint circular pertains to the uniform ticketing system.

“While I understand the intention behind the proposal, I’ve decided to prioritize discipline over penalties. Ang Bagong Pilipino ay disiplinado. By focusing on individual responsibility, we can create long-lasting solutions to our traffic challenge,” added Marcos.

In March, the Supreme Court also voided the ordinances of 14 Metro Manila governments on the issuance of traffic violations, namely the localities of Makati, Taguig, Parañaque, Pasay, Quezon City, San Juan, Navotas, Las Piñas, Pasig, Muntinlupa, Mandaluyong, Valenzuela, Caloocan, Manila, and the municipality of Pateros.

The highest Court ruled that only the Metro Manila Development Authority can develop road traffic policies.