Traffic enforcer was right to issue ticket in slippers controversy, says MMDA exec

A Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) official has practically exonerated the traffic enforcer who unwittingly triggered a public debate on motorbiking rules last March 5 when he ticketed a couple for a "dress code" violation.

"As far as we are concerned, wala po kaming nakikitang disciplinary action para doon sa enforcer namin (we don't see the need to impose any disciplinary action against our enforcer)," lawyer Vic Trinidad, Director III of the MMDA's Metropolitan Public Safety Office said in an interview over DZBB radio Sunday, March 14.

"Agree po kami sa LTO (Land Transportation Office) sa interpretation nila (We agree with the LTO's interpretation)," Trinidad said. This, after the LTO reportedly sided with the enforcer's actions last March 5.

That day, the enforcer flagged down a motorcycle-riding couple along EDSA and cited the violation of the female back-rider for wearing slippers instead of shoes.

The couple called up Riders’ Safety Advocates of the Philippines (RSAP) founder and retired police colonel Bonifacio Bosita to complain. Bosita unsurprisingly vouched for the two and told the enforcer that he misinterpreted the rules (ergo, allegedly, only the main rider is required to wear shoes).

The entire traffic brouhaha, which has produced a viral video as well as a hailstorm of comments from netizens, ended when the enforcer "compensated" the back-rider for her lost wage that day (P500) upon Bosita' prodding.

Based on Trinidad's conclusion, the pillion driver or back-rider is still considered a motorcycle "operator", thus she--in the case of the March 5 incident--should have worn shoes like her husband. The enforcer was right, afte all.

"Ang aral nito, huwag magpapasindak kung sinu-sino. Naunahan po ng gulat yung bata natin (The lesson here is, don't be frightened by random people. The fright got to our guy first)," the lawyer said tongue-in-cheek.

The MMDA has never identified the enforcer for security reasons.