A minor parking incident at the Cebu City Hall involving a city councilor has escalated into a public discussion about parking regulations and the consistency of enforcement procedures.
Clamp Incident During Council Session
The event took place on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, around 4:30 p.m. The private vehicles of Councilor Winston Pepito, who chairs the Committee on Transportation and sits on the Traffic Management Council, and Councilor Harry Eran were clamped while parked in a section typically reserved for councilors.
According to reports, the councilors were instructed to park in that specific area because their regular parking spots were unavailable. This was due to the area being partially blocked for Novena activities at a nearby church. Despite these instructions, personnel from the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) proceeded to immobilize the vehicles with wheel clamps.
CCTO Chief Defends Enforcement Action
CCTO head Raquel Arce took to her Facebook account to clarify that the clamping was not an error. She stated that the Vehicle Pass stickers issued by the City, which allow entry into restricted areas, are not automatic parking permits.
"This is not a failure. It was actually clamped," Arce emphasized in her post. She explained that if a traffic enforcer does not recognize a vehicle as belonging to a councilor, it is subject to clamping. She stressed that only councilors have the special privilege to park in zones designated for emergency vehicles, a rule crucial for maintaining access.
Arce also appealed for public understanding, citing the city's severely limited parking space. She highlighted the risk of emergency vehicles being unable to pass if all parking areas were fully occupied throughout the day.
Councilor Cites Miscommunication, CCTO Calls for Peace
From the councilor's perspective, Councilor Winston Pepito described the situation as a miscommunication. He asserted that they parked on the mayor's instruction and that enforcers were informed, yet the clamp was still applied.
In her statement, Arce reiterated that her personnel were merely enforcing existing rules without personal bias. She expressed high respect for the councilors and ended her post with a call for harmony: "Pit Senyor Konsehal. Let's make peace, not war."
The CCTO chief concluded by reminding everyone that the primary purpose of the Vehicle Pass system is to regulate access and maintain order, especially around emergency zones. She encouraged councilors to coordinate directly with on-ground enforcers to prevent similar incidents in the future.
