MMDA traffic czar Nebrija shares funny story; Yes, it involves 'tsinelas'

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic czar Edison "Bong" Nebrija shared on Wednesday, June 2 a funny conversation he had with a motorcycle rider who tried to talk him out of a ticket.

Based on Nebrija's Facebook post, the rider was flagged down for wearing slippers while driving his motorcycle. That's a big no-no on the road, no matter what others might say.

"Baka pwede naman pong huwag na kaming tickitan sa pasuot ng tsinelas galing kasi ng palengke (Could you please not give us a ticket for wearing slippers? We just came from the wet market)," Nebrija quoted the rider as saying.

"Sige po yung pagsuot na lang ng unauthorized helmet sir (OK sir, we will just ticket you for wearing an unauthorized helmet)," the MMDA traffic disciplinarian replied.

The unnamed rider was supposedly very thankful at first for escaping the "tsinelas" violation, but his heart immediately sank to the floor when he learned that the fine for using an unauthorized helmet was six times that of the slippers infraction (P3,000 as opposed to P500).

"Ay sir pwede ba yung tsinelas na lang! (Oh could you just ticket me for the slippers instead)" the rider pleaded again, to no avail this time.

Be careful what you wish for, indeed.