ILOILO City – Traffic aides here will no longer confiscate the driver’s licenses of erring motorists.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas’ decision was an offshoot of incidents of alleged extortion activities involving three traffic aides of the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) who were eventually terminated from the service.
Treñas said the City Legal Office will draft a proposed ordinance – for the consideration of the city council – for the issuance of a traffic citation instead.
The PSTMO in the meantime will focus on managing the traffic in the city.
“Until such time that there is an ordinance for the citation tickets, no apprehensions shall be made. As I have always said the city is not looking at the penalties as an income-generating activity,” he added.
In Iloilo City’s existing ordinance, Regulation Ordinance No. 338, its Section 1 empowers city policemen and traffic aides to issue traffic citation and confiscate driver’s licenses.
Treñas earlier approved the recommendation of the PSTMO Disciplinary Board to dismiss three traffic aides for alleged extortion.
The three – Janiel Bolencis, Rodney Bade and Sernuel Abad Jr. – admitted receiving money. However, they denied demanding for it./PN
