NOBODY is above the law, says Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto in reference to a newly-elected barangay chairman who allegedly bullied local traffic enforcers for flagging down a motorcycle driver who turned out to be ‘close’ to the village chief.
Sotto identified the village chief as “Kapitan Akaw” of Barangay Manggahan (who later turned out to be Dietmar Romualdez) whom he said confronted Traffic and Parking Management Office (TPMO) personnel during their operation in the barangay Manggahan on November 16.
Taking cue from the report of the TPMO, enforcers flagged down an unnamed motorcycle rider for not wearing a helmet. Instead of presenting his license, the rider reportedly “called a friend” who later turned out to be Romualdez.
Romualdez allegedly confronted the officers, prompting the latter to report him to Sotto.
"Unang araw palang na nag-assume ng office si Kapitan Akaw eh ganyan na agad yung ginagawa. Nagsabi sa TPMO natin na pag mag-ooperate ang TPMO sa Barangay Dela Paz eh kailangan daw tumimbre muna sa kanya, kailangan daw mag-abiso muna sa kanya," an obviously pissed off Sotto said.
"First day of office niya may tatawag sa kanya tapos sasabihin niyang hindi dapat hulihin yan? Anong klaseng tao yan? Anong klase ng opisyal yan? Anong klaseng lider yan? Ang lider dapat ang unang sumusunod sa batas,” the mayor added.
The mayor explained that as long as his personnel are right and doing their jobs properly, he will stand up for them.
"Napakabastos. Binabastos ang mga tao natin. Ako ang mga tao natin basta tama ang huli, sagot ko sila. Hindi pulitika ang pinag-uusapan natin dito kung panalo siya, panalo siya walang problema. Pero matuto siyang rumespeto. Gumalang siya sa otoridad, galangin niya ang TPMO, galangin nya ang local government ng Pasig,” he further averred.
As for erring traffic enforcers, the local chief executive assured residents that he does not condone bribery or any form of corruption among the local government personnel.
"Pag may mali ang enforcer (lalo na sa kotong), tinatanggal o suspendido sila. Pero pag tama ang ginagawa nila, sagot ko sila. Kahit mayor pa ang natiketan, pag tama ang huli, respetuhin.”
As of press time, Chairman Romualdez has yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.
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