The EDSA Busway traffic enforcers are on a roll this week. Senator Chiz Escudero today admitted to being the owner of the ‘7’ protocol license plate worn by a black Toyota Land Cruiser that was apprehended for using the EDSA Busway on Thursday, April 11. This comes mere days after former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson’s convoy was also pulled over for using the bus lane.
The driver of the vehicle with Escudero’s protocol plate fled as a traffic enforcer of the Department of Transportation’s Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT) wrote out his traffic violation ticket. The apprehending enforcers were not able to see if there were passengers inside the vehicle.
In an official statement released on April 12, Escudero confirmed that the protocol license plate was his, but its use was “unauthorized, as the vehicle was being driven by the driver of a family member.”
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“The No. 7 protocol plate was also abused because vehicles with these plates are not allowed to use bus lanes,” the statement goes on.
“Following the incident, I have directed the driver to appear before the MMDA to comply with the show-cause order issued to him and to answer the charges he faces for the violation.”
Vehicles authorized to use the EDSA Busway
In November 2023, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) released a revised list of vehicles allowed to use the EDSA Busway:
- Buses authorized by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for the EDSA Busway route
- On-duty ambulances, firetrucks, and Philippine National Police vehicles
- Service vehicles performing their duties for the EDSA Busway Project, including but not limited to construction, security, janitorial, and maintenance services
- Convoy of the President
- Convoy of the Vice President
- Convoy of the Senate President
- Convoy of the Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Convoy of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
New rules on use of protocol license plates
Furthermore, the recently issued Executive Order No. 56 (Series of 2024) tightens the issuance and use of protocol or low-numbered license plates. The assigned number now only goes up to 14, and all previously issued protocol plates are deemed expired. The order also prohibits the transfer of protocol plates to unauthorized persons or vehicles. You can read more about the new guidelines here.
“I do not personally use the protocol license plates issued to me, and forthwith the protocol plates involved in the incident will be surrendered to the LTO,” Escudero’s statement adds.
“I commend the authorities for their vigilance and reiterate my support for government efforts to ensure that traffic rules and regulations in Metro Manila are observed by all—regardless of rank, title, or position.
“I apologize to the public and my colleagues in the Senate for this oversight. Moving forward, I commit to ensure that the protocol plates entrusted to me are used appropriately, consistent with the provisions of Executive Order No. 56, s. 2024.”
The illegal use of the EDSA Busway carries a fine of P5,000 for the first offense, but in the past, violators who tried to escape apprehension had been automatically given the third-offense fine of P20,000, plus P1,000 for reckless driving. Meanwhile, the unauthorized use of protocol plates is punishable by confiscation of the plates and revocation of the granted authority to use them, plus other appropriate penalties including administrative sanction.
