MANILA, Philippines - For not settling his P500 fine with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for an anti-littering case two years ago, a seaman bound for Singapore was stopped by immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and missed his flight last week.

Raul Samson was apprehended on April 25, 2013 for dropping a cigarette butt at the Metro Rail Transit EDSA-Guadalupe station, according to the MMDA.

Samson was charged with violation of Republic Act 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act before the Makati Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC) for failing to settle his fine within the prescribed period.

Makati MTC Branch 67 Judge Jackie Crisologo Saguisag issued a warrant for Samson’s arrest on Oct. 8 last year after he failed to appear in court for his arraignment.

MMDA senior health program officer Rose Blay said Samson may now be able to leave for Singapore after he showed up at the MMDA office in Makati City on April 6 and paid his penalty.

The MMDA had informed the Makati court that it would no longer pursue the case against Samson, Blay said.

Blay explained that a litterbug apprehended by the MMDA is given three days, from the time of his apprehension, to pay a fine of P500 to P1,000 or to render community service for a maximum of 16 hours. Should the litterbug fail to do either penalty within three days, the MMDA will file a case before the court.

She said many of those nabbed and issued environmental violation receipts by MMDA enforcers were caught in the act of throwing candy wrappers and cigarette butts in the streets.

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