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METRO Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando
was charged before the Office of the Ombudsman by Rep. Roilo Golez
of Parañaque for displaying his pictures in Metro Manila and for
several other violations.
In a three-page complaint filed before the
Ombudsman on Wednesday, Golez asked Ombudsman Maria Merceditas
Navarro-Guttierez to conduct an immediate investigation on Fernando
“for launching a massive tarpaulin campaign featuring giant photos
of the MMDA chairman.”
“In defending the huge photographs of the MMDA
chairman in the tarpaulins, the MMDA stated that the reason for that
is to attract the attention of motorists so they would read the
messages. They are, therefore, meant to attract and distract the
attention of motorists in violation of MMDA Regulation 04-004,”
the complaint stated.
MMDA regulation mandates the use of
international standards for road signs.
Golez also questioned the statements made by
Fernando that he intends to seek higher office. Hence, it is the
opinion of Golez that “the MMDA Chairman is spending public funds
for such tarpaulins not in pursuit of public interest but to advance
his political ambition at government expense.”
The lawmaker also scored the alleged non-payment
of clothing allowance of the agency’s employees for a period of
two years, which appeared in reports and complaints from employees.
Golez also scored the establishment of the
three-lane U-turn slots along Commonwealth Avenue and other places,
which he claimed caused more traffic and accidents.
Fernando was also accused for taking along 100
MMDA employees and the agency’s brass band in his trip to Kalibo,
Aklan, to attend the Ati-Atihan Festival in January 2008.
Golez also said that only top ranking officials
of the government are entitled to motorcycle escorts, and that does
not include Fernando.
-- Jomar Canlas
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