MMDA to contest TRO issued against anti-smoking campaign By Pat C. Santos 08/18/2011

MMDA to contest TRO issued against anti-smoking campaign

By Pat C. Santos 08/18/2011
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino yesterday said they would file a motion for reconsideration before a Mandaluyong City court which earlier had issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the agency’s anti-smoking campaign.

“The TRO issued by the court is saddening because it says that we don’t have the authority (to enforce the campaign). That’s why we’ll file a motion for reconsideration,” Tolentino said.

The TRO stemmed from a complaint filed by two apprehended cigarette smokers before the sala of Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 213 Judge Carlos Valenzuela questioning the agency’s authority to enforce a smoking ban along streets and sidewalks.

The court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, resulting in the 20-day TRO.

Tolentino, who is a lawyer, rued the court for failing to consider their pieces of evidence on the case..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110818met3.html