Metrobriefs

34 couples wed in Manila

A total of 34 couples were wed at city hall by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim Thursday morning. The newlyweds, who were all from the city’s fifth district, had the same sponsor—Councilor Josephine Siscar. “Couples need to be married, whether in the church, [before a judge or in civil rites] to prove to the whole world their love,” Lim said in a press statement. The youngest couple were Ricky Cabreza and his wife, Princess Diane, who were both in their early 20s. The oldest, on the other hand, were 55-year-old Gerardo Tamayo and 43-year-old Ma. Sonia Romero, who already had five children, the eldest being 20 years old. But as Lim noted: “Better late than never. We’re happy for them and we congratulate them. May they live happily ever after.” Jaymee T. Gamil

2 traffic men arrested

Two traffic enforcers from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) were arrested in an entrapment operation in Quezon City Thursday after a taxi driver went to the police to file a complaint. Taxi driver Alvaro Hobayan, 53, a resident of Antipolo, Rizal, said he was flagged down by traffic enforcers Noel Galang and Richard Alipio at around 11 a.m. on Monday for allegedly making a wrong turn on Marcos Highway. When he turned over his driver’s license and the documents for his taxi, he was told that his papers were forged. He said that the traffic enforcers took his license plate (UVF 915) and told him that he would get it back if he gave them P1,500.  The driver and his taxi operator, Roel Medrano,  sought the help of Quezon City policemen who set up an entrapment operation for the traffic enforcers. The two were arrested after they accepted P1,500 in marked bills from the taxi driver.  MMDA traffic supervisor Rodante Yambao, who was present during the operation, said that he was there to verify the charge of robbery-extortion against his men.  “If they are innocent, I am here to protect my men. If they are guilty, then they must suffer the consequences,” Yambao said. Penelope P. Endozo