Makati judge out of billboard case

A Makati City judge has inhibited himself from hearing the case filed by Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines (OAAP) against the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on the agencies’ antibillboard campaign.

Judge Elpidio Calis of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 133 granted MMDA’s motion for inhibition alleging that he exhibited bias or prejudice against the agency during the hearing held on Sept. 1, the same day he issued the temporary restraining order (TRO) against its crackdown on gigantic billboards displayed on Metro Manila roads.

MMDA claimed that because of the judge’s attempt to speed up the proceedings, the agency was denied due process.

The OAAP’s motion for writ of preliminary injunction, as well as MMDA’s motion to suspend proceedings, is expected to be reraffled to another court.

The organization sought court intervention, saying the government agencies acted unlawfully and disregarded the propriety rights of its individual and corporate members when their personnel dismantled and took down huge billboards posted in several areas in Metro Manila.

MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino said he is considering filing an administrative case against Calis.

“Judge Calis took it upon himself to inhibit from the case just as we have filed another motion,” Tolentino said as he conveyed his frustration over the development of the case.

On Thursday, the MMDA filed another urgent motion asking the court’s permission to remove tarpaulins along major thoroughfares in the metropolis in anticipation of Typhoon “Quiel.”