Palace thumbs down traffic exemption for lawmakers

MALACAÑANG

rejected Tuesday a proposal to exempt members of Congress from obeying traffic rules, as it urged lawmakers to conform to President Rodrigo Duterte's policy of observing a "modest lifestyle."

"The President himself continues to observe a modest lifestyle and he seeks no special treatment, whether inside or outside the Palace," Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella told a press conference.

"We hope our colleagues in Congress and allies can also bring themselves to the President's standards. No special treatment. You know, law is law," Abella added.

During the House transportation committee's hearing on Monday, September 18, House Majority Leader Rodulfo Fariñas proposed to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to grant lawmakers immunity from minor traffic violations while Congress is in session.

Fariñas cited Article 6, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution, where lawmakers are granted "parliamentary immunity," which he claimed was "universally accepted."

The MMDA was amenable to Fariñas' proposal but said the final decision would come from the Metro Manila Council, which is composed of 17 Metro Manila mayors.

Jojo Garcia, MMDA's assistant general for planning, said that on the part of the agency, its chair Danilo Lim would "back it up."

Abella said the executive branch is yet to come up with necessary actions on the proposed exemption of lawmakers from traffic-related offenses.