MMDA AGAIN ASKS COURT TO AUTHORIZE ROLL DOWN OF BILLBOARDS

PRESS RELEASE
METROPOLITAN MANILA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

SUGGESTED HEAD: MMDA AGAIN ASKS COURT TO AUTHORIZE ROLL DOWN OF BILLBOARDS

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority lawyers filed today another motion reiterating the request of the agency to be given authority to remove billboards along major thoroughfares in view of the incoming tropical storm “Queil” this weekend.

MMDA Chairman Francis N. Tolentino lamented the inaction of Judge Elpidio Calis of the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 133 to grant the motion it filed on Monday (September 26), ahead of the onslaught of Typhoon Pedring. “Pedring” caused at least two billboards in Makati City and Quezon City to topple, injuring two motorists and damaging properties.

Calis, who issued the temporary restraining order (TRO) against the MMDA’s “Operation Roll Down, Baby”, has since inhibited himself from the case filed by the Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines (OAAP).

Chairman Tolentino is considering filing an administrative case against Judge Calis. “Judge Calis took it upon himself to inhibit from the case just as we have filed another motion,” Tolentino said as he conveyed his frustration over the development of the case.

Tolentino pointed out that the presiding judge should have taken into consideration the safety of the public. “We’re fortunate the damage was minimal,” the MMDA chief said.

Two motorists were injured – Leandro Torres and Lorenza Garcia – when strong winds toppled a steel billboard structure, pinning the victims inside their Toyota Corolla sedan at the corner of Osmena Highway and Gil Puyat Avenue.

A Mitsubishi Pajero sports utility vehicle and a passenger bus were also damaged in the incident. MMDA Public Affairs Service