Former Ilocos Sur governor Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson has apologized after his convoy was apprehended by traffic enforcers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for illegally using the EDSA Busway.
Singson was in the convoy riding what he referred to as a ‘BMW’—a custom armored vehicle by Baluarte Motor Works, which is a vehicle armoring company that he owns.
“I’m very sorry, at hindi sinasadya dahil nag-overtake lang yung driver,” said the former politician in a video post on Facebook, explaining that the convoy had overtaken in an open part of the busway.
“Anyway, hindi dapat tularan, and my congratulations sa mga taga-MMDA na nakahuli. Hindi po ako galit dun.”
Watch: Chavit Singson on EDSA Busway apprehension
Singson added that he intends to reward the traffic enforcers who had apprehended his convoy: “Bigyan ko nga sila ng reward eh. Baka akala lagay, hindi. Kakausapin ko, hinahanap ko ngayon si [acting MMDA chairman] Artes na bigyan ko ng premyo ang mga nakahuli sakin—bigyan ko ng P100,000 aside sa multa nung lisensya.
“So sorry po sa nangyari, hindi po namin sinasadya, hindi dapat tularan.”
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Fines for EDSA Busway violators start at P5,000 for the first offense, going all the way up to P30,000 plus possible revocation of the driver’s license for the fourth offense. The only vehicles allowed to use the EDSA Busway are:
- Buses plying the EDSA Busway route as authorized by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)
- On-duty ambulances, firetrucks, and Philippine National Police (PNP) vehicles
- Service vehicles involved in construction, security, janitorial, and maintenance services for the EDSA Busway project
- Convoys of the President, the Vice President, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Apart from going into the EDSA Busway, Singson’s vehicle did not have license plates, which he said is because it’s “bagong gawa” or newly made. “May mga papeles na pero di pa narehistro dahil tine-test pa yung mga yun,” explained Singson. “Marami kaming mga ginagawang bulletproof na kung anong order ng nagpapagawa, made-to-order kasi yun—kung anong itsurang gusto nila, yun ang ginagawa namin. So wala pang plate number yun, pero nakarehistro yun.”
Registered vehicles without license plates are not uncommon in the country due to the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) backlog of plate production. However, these vehicles are required to have temporary plates that follow the agency’s specifications and guidelines.
