Advertising group warns MMDA vs violating TRO

The Outdoor Advertisers Association of the Philippines (OAAP) has reminded the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) of the gentleman’s agreement both parties had entered into pending the resolution of a case filed by the advertising group against the government agency.

In a statement, the group said MMDA legal counsel Rochelle Macapili-Ona had assured Makati Regional Trial Court Judge Elpidio Calis during a hearing on September 21 that the agency would abide by the temporary restraining order issued by the court.

“OAAP expects Chairman Tolentino to abide by the commitment of the MMDA to respect the status quo,” the group said in response to the official’s remarks before the Senate finance committee on Monday.

Tolentino had told senators that the MMDA planned to tear down over 400 billboards on Edsa that were not covered by the required permits from local government units. The operation is scheduled to start next week.

The TRO issued by the court, which prevents the MMDA from taking down billboards, lapsed last week and Calis recently decided to inhibit himself from the case. The case could be reraffled to another court within the week.

In the meantime, the OAAP said it would continue to hold the MMDA to its promise.

“Should the chairman renege [on] this commitment, OAAP will take the necessary punitive action against the chairman and MMDA,” it warned.

The group also questioned why the agency had yet to take action on “billboards situated in roads right-of-way such as waiting sheds, sidewalks and lampposts.”

It said that as far as it was concerned, the billboards under its supervision were on private property.