MMDA suspends Nebrija

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) New Task Force Special Operations Unit Head Edison Nebrija received a suspension order after he “erroneously implicated” Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. for using the EDSA (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue) Bus Lane.

MMDA Acting Chairman Romando Artes suspended Nebrija while waiting for the investigation pertaining to the incident wherein two drivers name-dropped the lawmaker after they violated the EDSA Bus Lane regulation last Wednesday.

Per Artes, Nebrija was suspended "not because he was doing his job but because he went overboard" when they conducted the operations.

In a Facebook post, Nebrija apologized to Revilla and took accountability of the incident.

“As the Commander NTFSOU, I make decisions based on the information given me by my teammates and yes like anybody else I also make mistakes. The authority given [to> me commensurate to the responsibility and accountability that goes with my position. The buck ends with me and for whatever disgrace my actions has brought the good Senator Bong Revilla and his family, I extend my personal apologies and on behalf of my whole team. To the Filipino people, I fell short I’m sorry,” the MMDA official said.

Meanwhile, Artes ordered the issuance of violation tickets to the two drivers who violated the aforementioned traffic regulation after they appeared at the MMDA office last Thursday.

According to Artes, the owner of the vehicles reached out to him through their common friend.

Per MMDA, the two drivers admitted that Revilla was not onboard their vehicle when they were flagged down. They also clarified that Revilla is not the owner of the vehicle.

In addition, the agency relayed the apprehending officers’ admission of not personally seeing Revilla inside the vehicle and relied on drivers’ claim.

“The Agency considers this a welcome development in light of the incident as the agency conducts a probe and determines the lapses in the procedures in the implementation of the EDSA Bus Lane regulation,” Artes shared.

The drivers were slapped a P5,000-fine for violating theEDSA Bus Lane regulation for the first time. However, Artes said that it is up to Revilla if he would file charges against them for name-dropping him.

Photos from Edison Bong Nebrija Facebook page, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

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