MMDA ends ASEAN lane breach probe

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has concluded its investigation of actress and former beauty queen Maria Isabel Lopez’s traffic violations during the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit last week, an official said yesterday.

Jojo Garcia, MMDA assistant general manager for operations, said they turned over Lopez’s case to the Land Transportation Office (LTO), where she is facing charges of disregarding traffic signs, reckless driving and violation of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act.

“The ball is in the LTO’s court,” Garcia said.

The MMDA filed charges against Lopez after she deliberately removed the barriers marking the lanes along EDSA designated for the exclusive use of ASEAN delegates during last week’s summit.

Garcia said that they are now reviewing their closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage to identify other motorists who also violated the ASEAN lanes, in response to Lopez’s claim that they are singling her out.

He also assured Lopez that they will not alter the CCTV footage, contrary to what she claimed. He said motorists who violated the ASEAN lanes will also be summoned by the MMDA.

Responding to Lopez’s claim that she received more television projects a few days after she deliberately breached the ASEAN lane, Garcia wished the actress all the “luck in the world.”