Makati City court stops MMDA, DPWH from tearing down billboards on major roads By Pat C. Santos 09/14/2011

Makati City court stops MMDA, DPWH from tearing down billboards on major roads

By Pat C. Santos 09/14/2011

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) suffered another legal setback after it was slapped by the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) a temporary restraining order (TRO) ordering it to stop its campaign against giant billboards.

This came after Judge Elpidio Calis of the Makati RTC Branch 133 ordered the MMDA and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to stop tearing down billboards based on the petition made by Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines (OAAP).

OAAP in its petition for TRO said the MMDA exceeded its authority provided under its charter when it started dismantling and rolling down advertising materials installed in different billboards along major roads, including Edsa.

“Thus in the exercise of its sound discretion, in order not to render any judgement in this case ineffectual, and considering further the irreparable injury that may be sustained by the petitioner if the acts sought to be enjoined are continued, this Court hereby grants the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order directing the public respondents (MMDA and DPWH) to maintain a status quo until a hearing can be had to determine the propriety of injunctive relief,” Calis ruled in his September 1 order..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110914met2.html