MMDA: SC Ruling on Single Ticketing System "Not Yet Final"
We lay down the updates from the past few days.
(SPOT.ph) A lot seems to be going on around the traffic enforcement of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), with the Supreme Court ordering local government units (LGUs) to stop issuing traffic violation tickets and confiscating driver’s licenses in favor of the single ticketing system.
Even with the SC's ruling, MMDA Acting Chairman Don Artes said in a statement on March 6 that Metro Manila LGUs may continue issuing their own ordinance violation receipts (OVRs) since the Supreme Court’s decision is “not final and executory.”
“Sa ating mga kababayang motorista, kung kayo ay huhulihin ng mga local traffic enforcers, huwag kayong makipagtalo at i-argue na bawal na silang manghuli at mag-issue ng ticket dahil hindi pa ito final and executory,” Artes said.
Artes also said in a separate interview on March 7 that the full implementation of this initiative in Metro Manila is already at 95% as only two of the 17 LGUs in Metro Manila have not yet adopted the single ticketing system. Artes refused to name the non-compliant LGUs since “they may be bashed.”
What then can motorists expect? It seems that local traffic enforcers are still allowed to enforce traffic laws if they are formally authorized by the MMDA. This was reiterated in the Supreme Court’s ruling, which specifies that the MMDA “has exclusive authority to enforce traffic laws, rules, and regulations.”
Also read: Everything You Need to Know About the Violations Under Metro Manila's Single Ticketing System
Supreme Court orders LGUs to follow MMDA’s single ticketing system
The Supreme Court’s ruling that Metro Manila LGUs should not issue traffic violation receipts was made on July 11, 2023, but was only made public this week.
“All told, the Court thus declares as invalid the common provision in the said traffic codes or ordinances of the LGUs in Metro Manila empowering each of them to issue OVRs to erring drivers and motorists. The other provisions of the traffic codes or ordinances remain valid and unaffected by this Decision,” the Supreme Court explained.
The Supreme Court also affirmed that the MMDA, through the Metro Manila Council, has the power to pass resolutions on traffic management. This is what Artes highlighted in the statement: "In effect, binaliktad na ang earlier decision na nagsasabing kami (MMDA) ay walang legislative powers. Sinasabi ng Korte sa decision na ito na meron in so far as traffic regulations are concerned.".
Artes added the Metro Manila Council will convene to discuss the implications of the Supreme Court's ruling in order to reach a final conclusion on the single ticketing system. As of now, he acknowledges the lack of MMDA's manpower to enforce the ticketing system throughout the Metro: "We need the local traffic enforcers especially on inner roads."
“Rest assured, we will study and plan for this, particularly the deputization of local traffic enforcers in Metro Manila which is needed for them to issue citation tickets. We will craft the guidelines,” Artes said.
What is the single ticketing system?
In May 2023, the MMDA rolled out the single ticketing system in Metro Manila as part of its efforts to centralize traffic enforcement and management in the National Capital Region (NCR), where the most common traffic violations will have the same fines, contesting process, and digital payment platforms.
Under the single ticketing system, local traffic enforcers are also prohibited from confiscating driver’s licenses in Metro Manila unless the motorists has unsettled fines, an unregistered vehicle, or is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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