MMDA pursues raps vs 12 alleged litterbugs

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has pursued the filing of littering charges – punishable with a fine of at least P300 – against 12 persons arrested for throwing candy wrappers, cigarette butts or bus tickets in Quezon City in 2012.

Quezon City assistant city prosecutor Reynaldo Garcia, in separate resolutions released to the media yesterday, recommended the filing of charges against the 12 for violating Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

Charged before the Metropolitan Trial Court were Kathryn Rose Reyes, Alex Aguirre, Marc Joseph Cabauatan, Glen Caballe, Sharmaine Leynes, and Karlo Padilla.

Others are Ruff Arguelles, Juanito Espejon, Ronald Padua, Dennis Hontiveros, Alex Kaindoy, and Cherry Anne Franza.

The respondents were arrested separately in the act of littering at Metro Rail Transit stations in North EDSA and Cubao from August to October 2012.

The fiscal recommended the filing of charges after the respondents failed to appear during the preliminary investigation and submit their counter-affidavits despite due notice.

“After careful evaluation of the unrefuted evidence of the complainant (MMDA), the undersigned found probable cause to indict the respondent in court,” read the resolutions.

Section 48(1) of the RA 9003 prohibits “littering, throwing, dumping of waste matters in public places, such as roads, sidewalks, canals, esteros or parks, and establishment, or causing or permitting the same.”

Upon conviction of a court, the respondent may be punished with a fine of not less than P300 but not more than P1,000. He or she may also be sentenced to community service for one to 15 days in the local government unit where the prohibited act was committed.