Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 30) — Nine personnel from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority have been penalized for violating different rules under the enhanced community quarantine and other laws.
Three traffic personnel were placed under a 30-day preventive suspension for violating the policy that disallows riding at the back of motorcycles as this is against social distancing rules. Enrico Garcia and Dominic Acunin were found riding together, while Angelito Diendo rode the motorcycle with his daughter. The three aides were issued traffic violation tickets with a penalty of P5,000.
MMDA personnel Roger Rondina, Michaeval Lucina, and Rene Homecihada were caught drinking in public amid the liquor ban implemented in Makati City. Rondina and Lucina were suspended for 90 days, while Homecihada — who was on job-order status — was terminated.
Traffic enforcers Darwin Reyes and Elmer Balunsat were terminated from their jobs and arrested by police for extorting money from food delivery motorcycle rides along EDSA Ayala, while traffic aide Lucas Alvarez was placed under preventive suspension for not wearing a face mask or any protective gear while on duty manning a checkpoint at the Alabang Zapote Road.
Meanwhile, MMDA aide Roel Gatos was sacked for allegedly abusing his live-in partner and her child during the enhanced community quarantine.
MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said they do not condone the behavior of their personnel.
“We are very serious in our battle against COVID-19. We cannot afford to waste the agency’s efforts because of some employees who are blatantly disregarding the ECQ guidelines,” he said.
