NADSU opposes move to auction impounded vehicles

CEBU, Philippines - Saying that the move will violate their constitutional rights, the Nagkahiusang Drayber sa Sugbo strongly opposed the proposal of City Councilor Raul Alcoseba to dispose of by selling unclaimed vehicles at the city’s impounding area.

Nadsu Acting Chairman Roy Opura said selling the vehicles at the impounding site would tantamount to violation of human rights, considering that many vehicles therein are passenger vehicles that are being used to earn a living.

Opura himself has two passenger jeepneys that he has not redeemed due to huge accumulated traffic fines. The jeepneys were impounded when their drivers violated City Ordinance 2072 that prohibited PUJs from outside Cebu City to ply routes within the city.

“Kun inyong ibaligya ang among pribadong sakyanan nga na-impound susama ra kini nga gilapas ang among tawhanong katungod kay mao kini ang among panginabuhian,” Opura said.

“Wala na ko’y panginabuhian karon nga kakuhaan og income pagpa-eskwela sa akong mga anak. Ang bayranan sa duha nako ka sakyanan aron malukat kapin sa tunga sa milyon ka pesos,” Opura added.

Opura contended that their cases should already be considered prescribed because the City Traffic Operations Management reportedly failed to file charges against them.

Article 90 of the Revised Penal Code provides that minor offenses, including traffic violations, will prescribe in two months if no charges are filed against the accused.

In his proposed ordinance, Alcoseba said the move is meant to clear the city-owned Block 27 at the North Reclamation Area, which is currently being utilized as an impounding site.

The proposed ordinance provides that all unclaimed motor vehicles which were taken into custody or impounded at the city’s impounding area for a period of three months shall be deemed forfeited in favor of the government and shall be disposed of through a public auction.

But the ordinance provides that the concerned vehicle owners will be informed of the auction through publication in the newspapers before the auction will be conducted. — Rene U. Borromeo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)