Friday, September 21, 2007 Mandaue dad gripes v. traffic enforcer
ANGRY words flew over a traffic incident involving a councilor and an enforcer in Mandaue City.
The incident was even the subject of a privilege speech by Councilor Victor Biaño, whom traffic enforcer Nilo Quinain had accosted for parking in a no-stopping zone at the back of the City Hall.
“Mr. Chairman, may I ask that we do something about the arrogance, rudeness and discourtesy, ill manner and gross misconduct and incompetence of Nilo Quinain, a job-order employee designated as deputy director of Tedman,” Biaño said in a privilege speech last Wednesday.
But Quinain lashed back, saying Biaño is a habitual parking violator in that area. He said he merely cited the councilor for stopping in a no-stopping area.
Biaño holds office at the back of the City Hall near the Anita’s Bakeshop, where the confrontation took place.
Biaño was with his wife and driver when they stopped in front of the bakeshop to buy cake last Sept. 12.
Quinain approached them saying, “Di mo kamao mobasa ana, nagtuo ka nga exempted ka ana,” pointing to the two traffic signs that read “No parking anytime. Tow-away zone.” (Don’t you know how to read that, or do you think you’re exempted?) Another sign beside it read, “No stopping anytime PUJ tricycles.”
Biaño said they were not parking as their engine was running and their lights were flashing.
He added that the “no parking” arrow was pointing toward the corner and not towards them. Also, he believed it was referring only to tricycles and PUJs.
Quinain, wearing short pants and holding a two-way radio, told him in a loud voice, “Di ra na para sa PUJ ug tricycle. Para na sa tanan. Basin nagtuo ka nga exempted ka.” (That’s not just for PUJ or tricycle but for everyone. You are not exempted.)
Quinain said the sign at the back of Biaño’s vehicle was “No stopping anytime,” with an arrow pointing on both ends.
The traffic enforcer then motioned the councilor’s car to move without issuing a temporary operator’s permit (TOP).
When sought for comment, Mayor Jonas Cortes said Biaño is a lawmaker so he must follow the law.
No one is above the law and the traffic enforcer was merely enforcing the law, Cortes said.
With that, Biaño included Cortes in his ire.
He said the chief executive, “without investigating the incident,” said the councilor still chose to park in the no-parking area and this is an abuse of authority.
“It’s not even far-fetched that the mayor may have given them instructions to go after his political enemies by way of disrespectful conduct and contemptible acts,” Biaño said in his privilege speech.
After the privilege speech, Councilor Jimmy Lumapas said the council should have called Quinain to give his side.
Quinain, in an interview, said Biaño’s vehicle habitually parks in that no-parking area, although driven by different drivers.
No enforcer has the courage to cite the councilor for parking violation, he added.
During the confrontation, he said nobody wanted to approach and cite the councilor’s violation so he did the job even if he was off duty.
When asked why he was arrogant, Quinain said Biaño’s sharp words prompted him to say, “Tingali baya nagtuo ka nga konsehal ka exempted ka sa balaod.” (Maybe you think you are above the law just because you are a councilor.)
He said if Biaño is an authority in the council, they are also considered authorities in the streets because they enforce traffic laws. (OCP)
