Inanunsyo ng Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) na iimbestigahan nila kung tauhan nila ang traffic enforcer na nagpasuhol umano ng ‘selfie’ sa traffic violation na kinasangkutan ng American pop band na Stephen Speaks.
Sa pahayag ng MMDA nitong Sabado, Pebrero 18, makikipag-ugnayan sila Land Transportation Office Chief Jay Art Tugade upang mas masiyasat ang posibleng suspensyon ng lisensya ng mga sangkot sa nasabing pangyayari.
“The MMDA would like to stress that fame, power, and connections are not considered free passes to avoid being ticketed. It is wrong that a traffic violator was not given a citation ticket just because the passenger is a well-known figure,” pahayag ng MMDA.
Sa Facebook post nitong Biyernes, Pebrero 17, ibinahagi ng Stephen Speaks na nakaligtas sila ng driver ng sinasakyang Grab sa isang traffic violation nang masuhulan daw nila ang traffic enforcer sa pamamagitan ng isang selfie.
“Our Grab (like Uber) driver just got pulled over in Manila for running a red light, and my tour crew bribed him with a selfie with me to let us go. He said he sings Passenger Seat at the karaoke bar,” pahay ng Stephen Speaks.
“I was like…. I can’t believe that actually worked 
Nilinaw naman ng Stephen Speaks na naabutan lamang daw sila ng red light nang may biglang humarang sa harap ng kanilang sasakyan.
Sabi naman ng MMDA, kung totoo man ang klaripikasyon ng banda, may mali pa rin daw sa nangyari.
“Motorists who cross on a green light but stucked in the middle just when the light changes to red should not be flagged down unless given signal by the enforcer beforehand,” anang MMDA.
“Drivers and motorists who get away with their traffic violations just by using their popularity and connections and boasting about it on social media are not praiseworthy and not something to be emulated for,” saad pa nito.
Nitong Sabado humingi na rin ng paumanhin ang nasabing banda at sinabing nirerespeto nila ang mga awtoridad ng Pilipinas.
“We did not mean anything by this. It was just a poor choice of words on our part. It was done in jest that resulted in this. We apologize to all who have been bothered by this seeming disregard for authority. Rest assured, we respect all the authorities in the Philippines. We will learn from this. Once more, my sincerest apologies,” anang Stephen Speaks.
