MMDA eyes raps vs bus driver over smashed barriers

MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is poised to file charges against the driver of a passenger bus who recklessly plowed through several plastic barricades along EDSA while apparently racing with another bus on Monday.

MMDA Chairman Emerson Carlos said yesterday the agency is preparing a complaint of reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property against Ruel Labin, the driver of the Joanna Jesh bus (TYR-744) seen on a viral video as it crashed through the barricades along EDSA’s southbound lane between Ayala and Buendia Avenues in Makati at about 3 p.m.

The footage from a motorist’s dashboard camera was sent to Top Gear by Ian Santos.

The MMDA is also asking the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to mete out appropriate sanctions against Labin and the operator of the Joanna Jesh bus line over the incident.

The MMDA said 10 plastic barriers – each worth P3,500 – were destroyed by the speeding bus.

The MMDA said Ruby Alcantara, a member of the MMDA’s Metro Parkway Clearing Group later blocked the bus and kept Labin from leaving the scene until traffic constables arrived.

Labin was later brought to the MMDA’s Security Intelligence and Investigation Office.

The MMDA said the accident triggered a slowdown in traffic flow as vehicles tried to avoid hitting the plastic barriers that were strewn along the highway.