MMDA: Maserati driver trying to muddle issue

MANILA, Philippines–The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Monday that the case of—the Maserati-driving businessman who allegedly punched Jorbe Adriatico last week—was “totally unrelated” to that of a law student who claimed that the traffic constable treated her rudely when she asked him for help.

“No relation at all,” MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino told reporters as he added, “I think the camp of the Maserati driver is [muddling] the issue by using a totally unrelated incident. Besides, Adriatico is not the accused here; they are just trying to destroy his credibility and character which is not allowed by the Supreme Court.”

According to him, Section 34 of Rule 130 of the Rules of Court states that “evidence that one did or did not do a certain thing at one time is not admissible to prove that he did or did not do the same or a similar thing at another time…”

Tolentino, however, said that the law student, who refused to be identified, was welcome to file a complaint against Adriatico and assured her that should she do so, an administrative hearing would be conducted on the matter.

Meanwhile, the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) of the Philippine National Police said that Ingco has two registered firearms whose licenses have already expired.

A check with the FEO showed that the businessman owned a Glock 9-mm pistol and a high-powered Bushmaster rifle.

The 9-mm pistol’s license was approved in August 2009 and expired in June 2011 while the Bushmaster’s license was approved in September 2010 and expired in June 2012.

In television interviews over the weekend, the law student claimed that last month, her car was hit by another vehicle while it was parked on Banawe Street in Quezon City.

She said that when she asked Adriatico for help, he spoke to her rudely as he took a video of her reactions using his cell phone.

In a statement, the MMDA said that it was actually the law student who got angry and swore at the traffic constable because he told her that they would have to wait for the owner of the other vehicle to show up.–With Julie M. Aurelio