Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso (middle) during a press conference at the National Press Club.
MANILA -- Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Tuesday warned traffic violators not to bribe any of the traffic personnel in the city.
Domagoso dismissed on Monday Ricardo Galit, a Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) enforcer caught in the act of extortion on a closed-circuit television camera.
Applying the one-strike policy for MTPB officials, Domagoso said Galit can never be part of the team again and will be facing charges for the illegal activity.
“Totoo pong may mali ang aming enforcer dahil tumanggap ng pera sa inyo (It’s true that our enforcer made the mistake of receiving money from you), or what we call ‘kotong’. Sana makita rin natin sa ating mga sarili na meron din tayong mga pagkakamali (I hope we also see in ourselves our mistakes), induced bribery,” Domagoso said in a briefing at the Manila City Hall.
Domagoso said traffic violators who plan to evade any liability would have to face charges as well.
"Well, not to point fingers anymore, we’ve done our part as a city government to police our ranks. Nakikisuyo po ako, sa mga nagda-drive na nahuli, nay, tay, nag-drive na kayo ng motor, wala na kayong helmet, wala pang helmet asawa mo, isinama pa anak sa motor, tatlo pa kayo (I'm appealing to those who are driving and are caught violating, mother, father, you drove a motorcycle with no helmet on, same with your wife and your child's riding with you)," he added.
Domagoso also stressed that traffic problems could only be solved if all motorists comply with all traffic rules.
"Ang disiplina nagsisimula rin sa atin...walang masama na magpaalala, tayo rin bilang mga mamamayan, konting pagkukusa, pagsunod sa disiplina (Discipline starts with us... nothing's wrong with reminders, we must have the will to obey as citizens)," he added. (PNA)
