The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will review its policy on social media posting of its operations against erring motorists and violators of road safety rules and regulations.

While he sees nothing wrong with their policy of posting violators on social media, MMDA chairman Don Artes said they need to clear things up if there are data privacy and other human rights violations in their social media rules and regulations.

“There are conflicting opinions—there are those who appreciate, and those who are not. So we need to review and clear things up on the regulations governing our social media posts,” said Artes.

The incident was triggered by the apprehension of a male teacher who was not using a helmet while riding a motorcycle.

The male teacher personally asked MMDA Special Operations Group – Task Force for Road Clearing head Gabriel Go not to film his apprehension but the latter was quoted saying that his face would be blurred once the video is uploaded.

The video then went viral and drew mixed reactions from netizens on why there is a need to humiliate those who are apprehended—including a teachers’ group that sought for Go’s relief.

Last year, Go also went viral for doing the same strategy against a policeman.

Artes confirmed that Go was temporarily barred from joining any MMDA operation pending the result of the complaint against him in relation to the case of the male teacher.

“He is still employee and he is not suspended. It’s just that we will not allow him to join operations pending the result of the investigation,” said Artes.

Part of the investigation is consultation with other sectors, especially on the matter of data privacy.

But for Artes who is a lawyer, He maintained that the posting of videos like that of the case of the teacher need no consent since the incident happened in a public place.

“As a lawyer and head of the agency, when you are in a public place, it is not subject to consent. It’s legitimate government operation and we are also using those footages for the protection of our employees,” said Artes.

In the case of the MMDA, he said those videos are helping the agency in terms of informing the public that the agency is doing its job and on sending a strong message that you would be in trouble if you would violate the law.

“But we will review and consult the Data Privacy Commission,” he added.