MMDA to Comelec: Regulate motorcades

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) should impose some regulations on campaign motorcades, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said yesterday.

The MMDA, in a petition filed before the poll body, asked that the Comelec authorize and deputize its enforcers to assist the commission in “regulating the use” of Metro Manila’s major roads for campaign motorcades and caravans “to mitigate the effects of traffic congestion brought by election-related activities.”

The MMDA identified these major roads as EDSA, C5, Quezon Avenue, Marcos Highway, Commonwealth Avenue, España Boulevard, E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave., Ramon Magsaysay Avenue, President Quirino Avenue, Aurora Boulevard, Ortigas Avenue, Shaw Boulevard, MIA Road, Domestic Road, Roxas Boulevard, Araneta Avenue, A.H. Lacson Street, Rizal Avenue and A. Bonifacio Avenue.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. agreed that campaign motorcades must be controlled because they cause traffic congestion.

“I think we should really do that. We have to control motorcades on major thoroughfares. How? We are studying how to do that,” he said.

The MMDA, Brillantes said, could impose regulations on its own but the agency apparently wants to get the backing of Comelec.

“It will just be like controlling the campaign posters that are posted illegally… It would be the same principle. Maybe we can set a time during which they can pass through major thoroughfares. We’ll see,” he added.