(UPDATE) SEN. Francis Joseph Escudero acknowledged that the car with the No. 7 protocol plate caught on Thursday passing through the EDSA Carousel Bus Lane belongs to him.
In a statement he released Friday, Escudero admitted that his relative’s driver drove the black SUV with the protocol plates.
He also said he is aware of the violation, since the No. 7 plates are issued exclusively to vehicles belonging to senators.
SEN. Francis ‘Chiz” Escudero. File Photo
Only the official vehicles of the President, Vice President, Senate President, House of Representatives Speaker and the Chief Justice are allowed on the special bus lane, along with emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire trucks on an official mission.
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Escudero said he immediately ordered the driver to appear before the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), comply with the issued show-cause order, and face the consequences of the violation.
The unauthorized use of the busway carries a fine of P5,000 per vehicle.
Escudero is the second prominent political personality in less than a week whose car was pulled over for driving along the busway.
Last April 8, the bulletproof sedan of former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson and an escort vehicle were pulled over after being caught in the busway in Cubao, Quezon City.
Singson paid the P10,000 fine and offered a P100,000 incentive reward to the apprehending MMDA officers.
Escudero said he does not personally use the protocol license plates issued to him and that he will surrender them to the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
The senator apologized to the public and fellow senators for the incident and commended the authorities for ensuring that traffic rules and regulations are followed, 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 ensuring that the protocol plates entrusted to me are used appropriately, consistent with the provisions of Executive Order No. 56, s. 2024,” said Escudero in a statement.
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