Arce, Alcover clash over clamping of councilors’ vehicles

Local

A DISPUTE erupted between Cebu City Councilor Jun Alcover and Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) head Raquel Arce following the clamping of councilors’ vehicles inside City Hall grounds on Jan. 13.

Alcover has accused traffic enforcers of overstepping their authority despite prior clearance for designated parking.

Arce, however, defended the enforcement action, saying the stickers issued to councilors were vehicle passes—not parking permits—and that clamping became necessary after police raised concerns over the lack of space in areas reserved for emergency vehicles amid

Sinulog-related congestion.

The vehicle of Councilor Winston Pepito, parked along Jakosalem Street, was clamped by CCTO personnel at around 4 p.m. on Jan. 13.

Pepito did not initially publicize the incident, but Alcover raised the issue on social media, saying the vehicles involved bore official stickers and were parked in a designated area.

“Another CLAMP! The cars of Kons Winston Pepito and Kons Harry Eran were clamped… they have stickers and at the same time they are already in the designated parking in Yutivo side. (When I arrived, the clamp was removed… see pics),” Alcover wrote.

In response, Arce clarified that the stickers issued by Mayor Nestor Archival were vehicle passes meant to allow entry and exit within the City Hall compound, not to authorize parking.

“Yes, there is a STICKER that the Mayor issued — VEHICLE PASS. One hundred pieces of stickers can be used to enter and exit within City Hall Square. It’s a PASS, not a parking sticker,” Arce said in a Facebook post.

She appealed for understanding from all concerned, citing the unusual situation caused by Sinulog activities and the use of regular parking slots for the Santo Niño Mass.

“May all of you be understood. This is not a normal situation, unlike before when you had parking slots in front of City Hall that no one else could use because we would tow immediately,” Arce said. “Nowadays, it is really difficult, which is why I asked you to share the EMERGENCY VEHICLES area. One hundred vehicles cannot be accommodated if everyone parks from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.”

Arce also suggested a staggered parking arrangement.

“Your understanding, honorable councilors, is what I ask for. Even if you are not the one driving and you have a driver, can you please pull out after an hour to give other councilors a chance to park for an hour to attend Mass,” she added.

Pepito, for his part, said they were told to park in the area based on instructions from City Hall.

“We were told to park there as per the Mayor’s instruction daw, while among regular parking areas gi gamit pa. Miscommunication lang siguro, but the enforcers were informed daw, pero nagpadayon gihapon kay si Raquel na lang daw moistorya,” Pepito said.

Alcover, meanwhile, maintained that councilors were given clearance to park in the area.

“Ma’am Arce, gihatagan mi ug vehicle pass ug gisultihan mi sa VM Office nga pwede mi (mga konsehal) anha mo-park sa Yutivo side, designated parking area sa mga konsehal. Kay no entry na nga area… naay CITOM enforcers na-assign diha… ang makasulod kadto ra dunay sticker,” Alcover said.

He pointed out that their original parking slots in front of the Legislative Building were being used for the Santo Niño Mass and questioned the clamping of vehicles despite prior arrangements.

In her longer statement, Arce rejected claims that the clamping was a failure of enforcement.

“Dili ni palpak. Gi-clamp man gyud ni,” she said, adding that she initially chose not to comment, believing the matter had already been resolved.

She explained that the vehicles entered the area in the morning when parking space was still available, but complaints arose in the afternoon when police could no longer park because the area was already full.

“Pagrelibo sa hapon, nagreklamo na ang kapolisan kay dili sila makapark kay puno ang maong area. So akong gipareview kay adunay mga sakyanan nga wala sad sticker nga nakasulod,” Arce said.

Arce stressed that if enforcers could not immediately identify a vehicle as belonging to an elected official, it would be clamped.

“Pero kon wala makaila ang enforcer nga kang honorable ang maong sakyanan, ma-clamp man gyud,” she said, adding that only councilors were given the privilege to park in areas designated for emergency vehicles.

She also noted that one of the clamped vehicles was a private vehicle owned by a councilor who, she said, initially did not complain after understanding the situation.

“Igo ra mi nagtuman ug unsay among trabaho ug dili namo kaya mobangga ug konsehal. Taas among respeto ninyo,” Arce said.

“Hinaut nga kining pagpadayag sa akong habig dili isipon sa halangdong konsehal nga nabangga ko niya. Pit Señor, Konsehal. Let’s make peace, kons, not war.”(TGP)