The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday, March 6, said Metro Manila local government units (LGUs) may still issue traffic violation tickets.

This came after the Supreme Court ordered the LGUs to abide by MMDA’s single ticketing system which “[standardizes] the fines and penalties for common traffic violations.”

“Sa ating mga kababayang motorista, kung kayo ay huhulihin ng mga local traffic enforcers, huwag kayong makipagtalo at i-argue na bawal na silang manghuli at mag-issue ng ticket dahil hindi pa ito (decision) final and executory,” MMDA Acting Chairman Romando Artes said.

Artes said the High Tribunal’s decision recognized MMDA’s power to regulate traffic and pass legislation.

“What is important is the recognition that the MMDA, through the Metro Manila Council (MMC), has the power to pass resolutions regarding traffic. In effect, binaligtad na ang earlier decision na nagsasabing kami (MMDA) ay walang legislative powers. Sinasabi ng Korte sa decision na ito na meron in so far as traffic regulations are concerned,” he said.

The MMDA chief announced gathering the MMC members and taking stock of the SC decision’s implications to lay down available options.

“We have to study the implications of the SC decision not only to the individual respondents but its impact to traffic in Metro Manila,” Artes said.

He assured the public of the “deputization of local traffic enforcers” in the metro due to the agency’s lack of manpower in overseeing traffic in the capital region.

MMDA’s single ticketing system has been rolled out in 15 LGUs of the metro.