THE Metro Manila Development Authority is investigating if there were lapses on the part of enforcers that triggered veteran actress Maria Isabel Lopez to breach last weekend the lane on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue designated for delegates of Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.
“We have to check if there are lapses at that time and identify the enforcers who committed negligence,” said Emmanuel Miro, head operations of the MMDA-Task Force Asean.
The MMDA is also reviewing video footages captured by Closed-Circuit Television cameras installed in the area where Lopez, as she earlier claimed, asked an enforcer to allow her to drive in the special lane but the latter declined.
The former beauty queen, who was already slapped with Disregarding Traffic Signs, Violation of the Anti Distracted Driving Act and Reckless Driving charges, said she pleaded even more and asked if she could just use her face as her pass.
Lopez said she saw buses and taxis behind her that were already using the Asean lane.
She asked the traffic enforcer why the other bigger vehicles were allowed to drive in the special lane.
The enforcer, however, had turned his back on her and instead approached the other vehicles who had already breached the traffic rule.
Lopez said that seeing other vehicles using the Asean lane prompted her to drive on it as well.
If there are lapses found, according to Miro, the enforcers might be suspended and administrative charges would be filed against them by the agency’s Legal Division.
Miro said the investigation also subjected the motorists who followed Lopez when she breached the lane.
“Yes, if we can identify their car plates, we have to review that, although they committed lesser offenses unlike her (Lopez) who deliberately committed the act because she was the one who removed the barriers,” he said.
MMDA general manager Thomas Orbos said a show cause order from the Land Transportation Office was issued to Lopez, giving her three days to shed light and explain her side on the incident.
Lopez, crowned Binibining Pilipinas Universe in 1982, posted on her social media account “I removed the divider cones! Then all other motorists behind me followed! MMDA thinks I’m official Asean delegate! If you can’t beat them, join them!”
The incident went viral on social media and drew reactions from netizens. A number of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter users made bad comments against Lopez, prompting her to offer public apology the next day.