Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) EDSA traffic chief Edison ‘Bong’ Nebrija blasted Riders’ Safety Advocates of the Philippines (RSAP) founder Col. Bonifacio Bosita for allegedly interfering with an apprehension made by one of the agency’s enforcers.
In a Facebook post, Nebrija criticized Bosita for making an MMDA enforcer pay a day’s worth of income to a supermarket employee who missed her chance to go to work on time after they were flagged down for a supposed traffic violation.
“Ilabas mo ang batas na nagtatalaga sayo ng kapangyarihan na pagbayarin ang enforcer namin ang isang araw na sweldo ng hinuli nila, baka usurpation of authority ka boy para iutos at ipilit sa enforcer namin yan,” he said.
In a YouTube video, a rider sought the help of Bosita, a known figure in the motorcycle community, after he and his wife were flagged down along EDSA for a “dress code” violation last Feb. 27.
According to the motorcycle rider, an MMDA enforcer issued him a citation ticket because his wife was wearing slippers instead of shoes.
Bosita later visited the area where the motorcycle rider was apprehended and scolded the MMDA enforcers for issuing a violation ticket to the couple. According to him, the policy only applies to motorcycle riders and not passengers.
However, the incident did not sit well with Nebrija.
“Kung may problema ka sa huli namin bilang dating pulis at myembro ng HPG alam mo dapat sa adjudication nireresolba yan at wala kang karapatan pakialamanan huli ng enforcer namin. Kapag mali enforcer namin yaan mong yung hearing officer maresolution nyan at di ikaw. Eh kung gusto mong maghearing officer, eh magapply ka sa MMDA at di yung nagpapasikat ka sa YouTube. Marami ka bang views? Malaki na ba kita? Pangpondo na sa eleksyon?” Nebrija added.
Nebrija also blasted Bosita for using the issue to allegedly advance his political agenda.
“Huwag mong gamitin ang mga pobreng enforcer namin sa pamumulitika mo. Ginagamit mo lang ang riding community para sa political advancement mo, pwede ba?” Nebrija said.
He furthered: “Gamitin mo galing mo huwag ibang tao. Minsan mo pang ulitin yan sa MMDA enforcer namin kahit hindi sa Edsa maghanda ka na ng abugado mo.”
Nebrija said that the agency’s legal team is already discussing the possible charges against Bosita.
“But wait there’s more: pinaguusapan na ng MMDA Legal Team anong pwedeng ikaso sa pakikialam mo sa ttabaho ng enforcers namin,” he said.