Tuesday, December 05, 2006 Traffic officials face contempt rap for seizing PUJs
OWNERS of impounded public utility jeepneys (PUJs) want traffic officials cited in contempt of court.
The jeepney operators, through lawyer Rex Fernandez, filed a petition for indirect contempt before Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Ramon Codilla against the traffic officials.
The traffic officials are the defendants in a petition to stop City Hall from banning Mandaue-bound jeepneys from Cebu City’s streets.
City ordinance
They are Chief Inspector Marlou Martinez, formerly of the Cebu City Police Office Traffic Division, Michaelangelo Beltran, deputy chief for investigation, and Arnel Tancinco, of the City Traffic Operations Management.
The jeepneys were impounded under City Ordinances 1837 and 2072.
City Ordinance 1837 prohibits PUJs from Mandaue from reaching downtown Cebu City, while Ordinance 2072 imposes stiffer penalties against traffic violators.
Reconsideration
But the operators said Judge Codilla last Sept. 29 issued an order for the immediate release of the vehicles. The defendants filed a motion for reconsideration, which the court denied.
The defendants disobeyed a lawful order and obstructed the administration of justice, the petition read.
The petition will be tackled in court this Friday. (JGA)
