The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Monday filed charges against a Quezon City councilor who is running for vice mayor and two of her supporters after they allegedly attacked a group of MMDA personnel who were taking down illegally posted campaign materials.
Named in the complaint for grave coercion and direct assault filed by MMDA Legal Service head Rochell Macapili with the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office were Janet “Babes” Malaya, the running mate of Rep. Annie Susano, and two of her supporters who remain identified.
Based on the complaint, members of the MMDA’s Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group (SCOG) were taking down campaign materials posted on North Avenue near Elliptical Road at around 11 p.m. on Saturday when a white Toyota Fortuner stopped beside them.
The workers said Malaya alighted from the sport utility vehicle and shouted invectives at them while two of her supporters started shoving them away and even threatened to shoot them.
A police team, however, which was passing by the area, put a stop to the commotion.
MMDA Chair Oscar Inocentes said in a statement that his men were “nearly beaten to death” by the “arrogant and lawless goons of this equally arrogant and lawless candidate.”
“They have yet to be elected but they no longer obey the law. What more if they are already in power?” Inocentes said.
He added that the posters being taken down by the MMDA workers were displayed outside common poster areas designated by the Commission on Elections.
“We will not spare any candidate or party who will be found defying the law,” Inocentes said.
According to him, he has declared war on candidates, local officials, police and barangay personnel who will try to hamper the MMDA’s campaign against illegally posted election paraphernalia in the metropolis.
Sought for comment, Malaya said there was no basis for the case filed against her by the MMDA.
In a phone interview with the Inquirer, Malaya confirmed the North Avenue incident on Saturday although she wondered why she was being singled out by the agency.
“I introduced myself as a councilor when I saw my supporters questioning the MMDA. I asked them why only my posters were being taken down. The MMDA workers told me that [they were just following] orders. Now why only me?” she said.
“Why are they singling me out? Kawawa naman ako. I don’t think I am a violator, if any, there are many other candidates out there who should be charged first,” Malaya added.
She also said that some of the posters on display may not be hers but could have been reproduced by her rivals and posted outside designated poster areas.
