MMDA eyes ‘roadside courts’ for extort raps

MANILA, Philippines—Thinking of filing an extortion complaint against a traffic constable of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)? Take it to one of their 24/7 “roadside courts.”

MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino announced plans to put up round-the-clock mobile courts in strategic areas around the capital to speedily resolve motorists’ complaints against his men and vice versa.

“There will be five courts in prime areas like Edsa, Circumferential Road 5 (C5), Commonwealth Avenue, Quirino Avenue and Roxas Boulevard,” Tolentino said Wednesday.

He announced the formation of the roadside courts, to be manned by lawyers and paralegals from the MMDA, shortly after suspending of four traffic constables accused of extorting P200 from a truck driver on Commonwealth on Wednesday.

The lawyers and paralegals will serve as receiving clerks and hearing officers “at each court [where complainants] can present their evidence. They will decide [right] there and then,” Tolentino said. The traffic enforcer concerned would be suspended immediately should the evidence point to his guilt.

As to concerns over the courts’ impartiality, considering that they will be manned by MMDA personnel, Tolentino gave the assurance that these legal officers would examine the evidence presented by both parties.

The court would also address the complaints of MMDA traffic constables against drivers. “Our enforcers can also raise the issue of motorists handing [them] P100 together with their licenses.”

Should one of the parties appeal the roadside court’s decision, the MMDA would bring the case to a “special jury” to be composed of representatives from city bus operator groups, motoring associations, the clergy as well as teacher and student groups. Any of the parties concerned may file an appeal within 15 days.

The MMDA came up with the idea after it suspended traffic constables Carlito Llaneta Jr., Gobito Calis, Dominador Panopio and Edelito Corilla based on a complaint filed by truck driver George Basubas, who said the four men flagged him down for using the lane designated for buses Wednesday afternoon. The driver alleged that Corilla asked for P300 but that he was able to produce only P200.

The MMDA said the four constables were arrested by the Quezon City police later that day but Llaneta, Calis and Panopio were released for lack of evidence. Only Corilla remained in detention at the Anonas police station on bribery charges.