Non-payment of traffic fines 477 drivers face arrest

CEBU, Philippines - At least 477 erring drivers of public and private vehicles in Cebu City will be arrested anytime soon after the court issued a bench warrant against all of them.

Cebu City Transportation Office Executive Director Rey Gealon yesterday said that of the total, over 230 drivers have not settled their obligations after they were issued with citation tickets by traffic enforcers this year.

“CCTO is serious in implementing the Traffic Code of the City of Cebu (City Ordinance 801). We are serious in filing cases before the court if drivers will not settle their obligations once they will be issued with citation tickets,” he said.

The rest of the 477 drivers committed their traffic offense last year yet.

Gealon said the common violation drivers commit is disregarding traffic signs.

He said CCTO filed a complaint against the drivers after they failed to appear before their office when summoned.

“To all drivers, it’s better for them to verify if they were issued with bench warrants,” he said. If not, the drivers stand to getting handcuffed by the police.

Gealon said all drivers should settle their obligations within a week after they were issued with citation tickets to avoid facing charges.

“We want to get the message across that we are serious (in going after violators). CCTO means business here. There are some drivers who are taking the citation tickets lightly, some would just throw it after they committed the violation. We just want all the drivers to give a thought of disregarding simple traffic rules and regulations,” he added.

Gealon said CCTO is employing the zero case backlog policy.

“Once a case will be filed against them, they would have to put up an additional P2,000 for the fine or they will be issued a bench warrant for non-appearance. Payments must be made promptly at the Traffic Violations Bureau of CCTO,” he said.

He said that the strict implementation of the City Ordinance is intended to discipline and educate the motorists.

“These warrants are entered in the respective databases of the PNP (Philippine National Police) and NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), so this will be reflected in case they will secure police or NBI clearance and in case you’ve been issued with a traffic citation ticket, pay it as soon as possible at the traffic violations bureau,” Gealon urged the drivers. — Jean Marvette A. Demecillo/RHM (FREEMAN)