MetroBriefs

Portion of Osmeña Highway southbound lane closed to traffic for two weeks starting Tuesday

ABOUT 100 meters of the southbound lane of Osmeña Highway in front of Cash and Carry Mall in Makati City will be closed to traffic for two weeks starting at 11 p.m. today, June 7, to give way to the excavation work for three columns of the Skyway Stage 3 (SS3) elevated expressway project.

Southbound motorists may use the Buendia Flyover to go Skyway System’s at-grade and elevated section and Edsa.

Those bound for the Makati Central Business District, on the other hand, may cross Osmeña Highway from Finlandia Street to Dela Rosa Street.

Additional traffic  enforcers will be deployed to the affected area to direct traffic and assist motorists.

The road closure is being implemented in coordination with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority  and the Makati Public Safety Department.

Motorists can soon pay fines in malls

PEDESTRIANS and motorists cited for traffic violations will soon be able to settle their fines in malls and payment centers, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

MMDA Chair Emerson Carlos signed on Monday a memorandum of agreement with SM Bills Payment and Bayad Center branches, allowing those cited for jaywalking, littering and various traffic violations to pay the corresponding fines, even on weekends.

Previously, payments could be made only on weekdays through Metrobank or at the MMDA’s  redemption and payment center at its headquarters in Makati City.

“We are making available all the facilities near them [so that they can settle] their fines immediately and avoid being [placed] on the alarm list of government agencies when they apply for a clearance or renew their vehicle registration [papers],” Carlos said.

The MMDA also reminded violators to settle their fines since their driving license or vehicle registration documents would not be renewed unless they do so.  Maricar B. Brizuela

Maid for one day accused of robbing employer

A NEWLY hired house help has been  accused of stealing P2 million in cash from a businessman in Navotas City.

The suspect, identified as Hazel Castalom, was hired by Eugenio Decierdo on Friday. She left his house in Kaunlaran Village the following day, taking with her P2 million in cash, according to investigator PO2 Philip Edgar Valera of the Navotas City police.

Based on initial investigation, the businessman went out of his house on Saturday, leaving Castalom by herself.

Hours after, the victim’s cousin called him up to report that the housemaid was nowhere to be found.

Upon his return, Decierdo found out that someone had forced open the door to the master bedroom. The P2 million he had placed inside a cabinet was also missing, the police said.

Valera added that Castalom easily gained the trust of her employer after she pretended to come from his town.

She also presented a clearance issued by the National Bureau of Investigation which, the police said, was probably faked.

On Monday, the police found out that this was not the first time Castalom had been accused of robbery.

Earlier, her previous employer also accused her of the same crime, posting a warning on Facebook. The police said they had launched a search for Castalom. Jhena Sy