Pateros Mayor Miguel Ponce III said they will no longer file a motion for reconsideration with the Supreme Court (SC) about its recent decision barring local government units from issuing ordinance violation receipts (OVRs) to erring motorists unless their traffic enforcers are deputized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). 

In a decision, the SC voided provisions in traffic codes of Metro Manila LGUs and barred their traffic enforcers from issuing OVRs to erring motorists and confiscating driver’s licenses unless they have been deputized MMDA. 

Pateros Mayor Miguel Ponce III during the MMDA meeting on March 12 (MMDA)

The MMDA meeting with Metro Manila mayors on March 12 (MMDA)

“Palagay ko hindi na dahil marami naman nag-signify ng intention na magpa-file sila (I believe it’s no longer needed because there are many [LGUs] which signified the intention to file [motion for reconsideration]). And I believe whatever position the local government of Pateros will already be tackled and raised in the petitions that will be filed by the other local government units,” Ponce told Manila Bulletin. 

In its decision, the SC struck down Section 124 of Pateros Ordinance 2005-19 or the Traffic Management Code. 

Ponce, a lawyer, met with MMDA Chairman Romando Artes, and other Metro Manila mayors to tackle the effects of the SC decision. 

He said Pateros already has a Single-Ticketing System ordinance but it is not yet fully compliant as its traffic enforcers are undergoing training. 

Ponce said the SC decision is not yet final and executory as it will only take effect after the period to file a motion for reconsideration has lapsed. LGUs have 15 days to file an MR. 

He said the MMDA will deputize traffic enforcers of LGUs during the transition period to avoid chaos on the streets. 

“Kung i-stop kami immediately e magkakaroon tayo ng chaos sa kalsada. Sino manghuhuli? (If we will immediately stop, we will have chaos on the streets. Who will apprehend?” he said. 

The mayor said MMDA will deputize LGU traffic enforcers who will implement each ordinance in the meantime, while various local governments comply with the Single-Ticketing System in accordance with the Metro Manila Traffic Code that the mayors approved recently. 

Ponce said the positive effects of the SC decision is that Metro Manila LGUs will have uniform traffic rules and regulations. 

“Pag sinabi ng MMDA na may color coding, may color coding lahat. Pag sinabi ng MMDA na may window, may window and lahat (If the MMDA says there will be color coding, all [LGUs] will have color coding. If the MMDA says there will be window [hours], all will have window [hours],” he said.