Labella to release impounded cars

CEBU, Philippines — Instead of impounding vehicles and motorcycles of those violating the anti-counterflowing policy, drivers will be required to undergo seminar over traffic rules and regulations, once incoming mayor Edgardo Labella assumes office.

Labella told The FREEMAN that he will continue implementing the anti-counterflow policy, but vehicles and motorcycles or even buses will not be impounded, saying it is not within the provision of the traffic code.

“Maybe I will have some kind of amendment to the ordinance later on. If the purpose is to really prevent them make a little bit harder to drive again, to operate again, maybe make an amendatory ordinance for them to attend like seminars, so that it will not just be easy for them to drive again, to operate again.  But certainly not to impound the vehicle for one month because its anti-poor,” Labella said.

Under Executive Order No. 34 that outgoing mayor Tomas Osmeña had signed, vehicles of those caught violating the anti-counterflowing ordinance will be impounded for 30 days.

In February 2018, the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) had implemented the policy after Osmeña issued the executive order which prohibits all forms of reckless driving especially “driving left” or commonly known as counterflowing.

Osmeña made the EO in order to instill discipline to drivers and to minimize vehicular accidents.

But Labella was not in favor of the impoundment since it is not within the provision of the traffic code.

“Well, ang counterflowing para nako, as I’ve said over and over again, it is beyond the provision of the traffic code, impounding of vehicles is not within the purview of the law. The law imposes sanctions and fines but not impounding them, so I will have them released,” he said.

As he assumes office on June 30, he will direct the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), the implementing body, to release the impounded vehicles and motorcycles.

At present, there are 123 motorcycles and 40 four-wheeled vehicles that are now impounded at the Big Foot Studio in the South Road Properties (SRP).

CCTO Operations Chief Francisco Ouano said he is waiting for an order from Labella on the official release of the vehicles and motorcycles.

“We will just wait for an order for the release of these vehicles,” he earlier said. (FREEMAN)