A Metro Manila Development Authority official on Thursday denied that they were singling out veteran actress Maria Isabel Lopez when they filed charges against her for breaching a lane designated for delegates of Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit last Saturday.
“No, we’re not singling her out, that’s not correct. In fact, we are locating those who followed her, also to be penalized,” said MMDA Traffic Management Operation head Emmanuel Miro.
“We are in the process of checking video footages to determine what was the exact place and time when she entered [the lane],” he added.
Miro also denied the claim of Lopez that she is being considered as a “second class citizen” in the country.
“She was saying she is a second class citizen, no it’s not that. It is normal for us to attend and assist our visitors. The Asean summit will bring benefits to our country in long term. In fact, China already extended its help without any condition,” he said.
When asked for comment to Lopez’ statement to give her a “senior citizen discount,” Miro said that “We leave it to the LTO (Land Transportation Office). The good thing is the (case) hearing has started. It is a welcome development.”
The MMDA recommended with the LTO the filing of Disregarding Traffic Signs, Violation of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act and Reckless Driving charges against the former beauty queen, who admitted the misdeed.
In an interview with TV reporters, Lopez said “My intention is simply not to breach the security because I was talking to an MMDA official. If there is an intention to breach security I wouldn’t have to talk to him. You will just go ahead and do what you want.”
“Plus, of course, once again I’m apologizing to the people I have inconvenienced, the public, those people who missed their flights. It was a lapse of judgment on my part,” she said.
The MMDA is also looking into lapses on the part of MMDA enforcers that triggered Lopez to breach the lane on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue on Saturday night.
Lopez, crowned Binibining Pilipinas Universe in 1982, posted on her social media that she “removed the divider cones! Then all other motorists behind me followed! MMDA thinks I’m official Asean delegate! If you can’t beat them, join them!”
The incident went viral and drew adverse comments from netizens.