The Court of Appeals (CA) upheld the legality of ordinances put in place by 14 separate cities and one municipality within the Manila Metro Area allowing for the application of independent traffic ticketing systems in each jurisdiction. The traffic ordinances had been passed by the assorted local governments over the course of 2003 to 2005.
Issuing a 16-page decision, the Court rejected the petition filed by an array of transport advocacy groups including the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, the Alliance of Concerned Transport Operators, and the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, among other organizations. According to the Manila Standard Today, the CA dismissed the petition against the ordinances for lack of basis.
The petitioners plea for a writ of mandamus, which would require the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to enforce a “single ticketing system,” was further rejected by the appellate court.
Update:
On Tuesday, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino acknowledged the CA ruling upheld the authority of the local governments to enforce their own laws. However, the MMDA also made clear that the ruling would not impact the single ticketing scheme or the Uniform Ordinance Violation Receipt (UOVR) in place throughout the capitol.
Chairman Tolentino said the MMDA and the 17 Metro Manila local governments are collaborating on the harmonization of local ordinances with the Uniform Metro Manila Traffic Code.
