Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino said Friday he is looking into the possibility of recommending sanctions against bus companies and terminal operators paying protection money to traffic enforcers, which he earlier exposed.

“We might recommend to the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) that they be given sanctions based on the result of our investigation,” Tolentino said.

According to Tolentino, they are now investigating the “kotong” practice in the agency, from the bus companies and terminal operators down to the traffic enforcers turned middlemen collecting the bribe money on a weekly and monthly basis.

Tolentino, in his third working day as head of the agency, revealed that Nova Centennial Terminal bribes traffic enforcers the amount of P5,000 a week; SM Mall terminal, P4,000 a week; Baliwag Transit, P20,000 a month; Five-Star Liner, P30,000 a week; and Saint Rose Bus Lines, P20,000 a week.

“There are two ways of corruption, the one who gives money and the one who accepts,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino said he will not tolerate the conduct of erring MMDA personnel but added that they will be given due process. “We will respect their presumption of innocence,” he said.

He said in his list are 15 bus operators that regularly give grease money to MMDA personnel.

Tolentino also called for a transport code of social responsibility, saying he plans to call a meeting with transport groups in this regard.

Rather than give bribes to traffic enforcers, operators should use their money to properly maintain their vehicles so that they will not encounter mechanical trouble while on the road, the MMDA chief said.