■ COMPLAINTS WON’T STOP MAYOR FROM IMPOUNDING COUNTER-FLOWING VEHICLES

Despite the complaint filed against him, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña the implementation of Executive Order (EO) 34, which authorizes the traffic group to impound counter-flowing vehicles, will continue. Osmeña reiterated his earlier pronouncement that he would pull out traffic enforcers as he believes traffic management is under the mandate of the Land Transportation Office (LTO). “I can stop it and let’s see what will happen to our traffic. As a matter of fact, I will let LTO handle all the traffic in Cebu. We’ll save a lot of money. I’ll pull out all my traffic enforcers. That’s their job,” he said. Last Monday, LTO 7 Director Victor Caindec filed a complaint against Osmeña before the Office of the President for gross negligence, dereliction of duty, and grave abuse of authority, among others. The complaint was anchored on EO 34, which was issued last Feb. 2. For issuing the EO, Caindec said Osmeña violated Section 60, Paragraphs c, e, and h of Republic Act (RA) 7160, or the Local Government Code. In his complaint, Caindec said the LTO is the only one authorized to impound vehicles, which is provided under RA 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code. Osmeña said Caindec can charge him but the latter should also point out to the President the lapses in his office. “What about what started this dispute? You’re fined P12,000 because the LTO will not file your registration,” he said. Osmeña explained that when a driver counter-flows, he is committing reckless driving, which is a criminal act. “Motorcycle is the evidence of the crime. In the meantime, we will be holding your motorcycle and after 30 days, if we become merciful, you can continue on the criminal act of counter-flowing. All I’m trying to explain to the people of Cebu is that I’m just trying to put discipline on the streets. So I’m pushing the limit,” he said. The mayor admitted that the counter-flow policy is an “extreme measure.” “We’re borderline violating the law, but basically it’s public welfare that I’m after,” he said.