Cebu City Councilors' Parking Clamp Controversy Sparks Governance Debate
The recent parking clamp incident involving private vehicles belonging to Cebu City Councilors Winston Pepito and Harry Erran has ignited a significant public discussion about traffic enforcement and political privilege. The vehicles were clamped while parked in designated "No-parking zones" during the novena celebrations for the Feast of Sto. Niño, creating what many observers describe as an ironic and revealing situation.
Councilor Alcover's Public Protest
Interestingly, the primary complaint did not come from Councilors Pepito or Erran themselves, but from fellow councilor Hon. Pastor Alcover Jr., a known vocal critic of Mayor Nestor Archival. On January 14, 2026, Councilor Alcover took to social media, specifically Facebook Live, to criticize Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) Chief Raquel Arce.
In his broadcast, Alcover accused Arce of arrogance and questioned the decision to clamp the councilors' vehicles. He argued that the enforcement action occurred despite instructions from the Office of the Vice Mayor allowing temporary parking along the Yutivo side of City Hall. Alcover later explained in subsequent news reports that he went live specifically to protest what he characterized as an unjust enforcement action against his colleagues.
Conflicting Accounts and Official Clarifications
The situation reveals conflicting perspectives within city government regarding parking privileges during major events. Councilor Alcover maintained that councilors had been issued vehicle passes and were advised to use the Yutivo side after their usual parking area near the legislative building was occupied for Santo Niño activities.
However, the CCTO provided a different interpretation in their official statement. The agency clarified that "parking privileges apply only to properly identified vehicles" and emphasized that Sinulog stickers serve as vehicle passes, not parking permits. The statement further explained that "it would be difficult, if not impossible, to determine ownership of unmarked and unattended private vehicles," justifying the enforcement action.
Traffic Management Perspectives
CCTO Chief Raquel Arce stated that the operation was conducted without any intent to offend city officials. She emphasized that the enforcement was solely meant to uphold traffic regulations and respond to official complaints during the heightened congestion of the Sinulog season, when Cebu City experiences significantly increased traffic volumes.
For his part, Councilor Winston Pepito, who serves on the Traffic Management Board (TMC), later characterized the issue as "not a big deal" that had become controversial primarily due to a "communication gap" within City Hall administration. This perspective suggests internal coordination challenges rather than deliberate targeting of officials.
Broader Implications for Governance
The incident raises important questions about equal application of laws and public perception of political privilege. While city officials were afforded parking privileges during the fiesta celebrations, ordinary constituents continue to face chronic parking shortages that plague the city even during normal times.
Several significant points emerge from this controversy:
- "No-parking zones" are created by ordinances passed by the City Council itself
- When councilors complain about enforcement of rules they helped create, it sends troubling messages about governance
- Public airing of such complaints transforms private inquiries into public assertions of entitlement
- The incident highlights persistent public suspicion about selective application of regulations
Public Reaction and Double Standards
The public response to this incident has been particularly revealing. Ordinary motorists endure clamping, towing, tickets, and fines without receiving special attention or defense from public officials. When councilors react differently because the affected parties sit in the same legislative chamber, the double standard becomes too glaring to ignore.
This reinforces a persistent public suspicion that some officials view ordinances as aspirational guidelines rather than binding rules that apply equally to everyone, including those who govern.
Fundamental Questions About Traffic Management
Traffic rules represent among the most basic expressions of order in any urban environment. They are clearly marked with yellow paint, displayed on signs, and understood by every ordinary motorist who has ever faced penalties for violations. When public officials violate these rules and then complain about enforcement, they are not asserting rights—they are asserting privilege.
If parking shortages represent a genuine problem, the solution should come through better urban planning and infrastructure development, not through special treatment for certain individuals. If enforcement methods seem harsh, they should be made more humane—but they must remain equal for all citizens.
Leadership and the Rule of Law
In a city struggling with traffic congestion and growing public cynicism, citizens are no longer amused by selective obedience to regulations. True leadership is measured not by the ability to complain about enforcement, but by the humility to follow laws that apply equally to everyone.
The parking clamps did more than immobilize vehicles—they exposed underlying mindsets about governance and privilege. The real takeaway from this incident is that the rule of law faces its true test not when it's popular, but when it applies equally to those who helped create it.
For transparency, it should be noted that the author sits on the TMC Board.
