Former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson is so rich, he not only shrugged off a P5,000 fine for being caught using the EDSA Busway lane on Monday, he also offered a P100,000 prize to the traffic enforcers who apprehended him on board his custom armored truck.
A tycoon in his own right even while becoming one of the country’s most popular politicians, Singson even drew an apology from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority law enforcer who flagged him down for the violation.
The special MMDA team caught Singson on board his custom “BMW” (Baluarte Motor Works) at the EDSA Busway portion in Cubao, Quezon City.
But the apprehending officer-in-charge of the MMDA’s Special Operations Group – Strike Force said sorry after Singson admitted the mistake.
The politician-businessman explained he used the exclusive lane for buses and emergency vehicles just to overtake a bus, and assured the MMDA men he will accept the citation ticket and he will pay the P5,000 fine.
As seen in a video, Gabriel Go, the strike force chief, said .. “Opo, opo .. pasensya na po Sir” (Yes Sir, our apologies).
The MMDA then issued a citation ticket.
According to Go, Singson did not resist receiving the violation ticket. He said the MMDA is just enforcing the law, and if the vehicles are not allowed to use the bus lane, they will be apprehended to ensure fairness.
Observers said Go was only being respectful to Singson when he apologized to him after the latter was apprehended
Busway violators are penalized with P5,000 for first offense and P10,000 for second offense plus a one-month suspension of driver’s license and are required to undergo a road safety seminar.
A third offense nets the violator P20,000 plus a one-year suspension of his driver’s license, and the fourth offense carries a P30,000 fine plus a recommendation to the Land Transportation Office to revoke the driver’s license.
The Department of Transportation reiterated that only authorized vehicles are allowed to use the EDSA Busway.
The Department stated there was an increased number of apprehensions of erring motorists illegally using the lane dedicated to public utility buses.
In his November 14, 2023 letter to MMDA Chairman Romando Artes, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista enumerated authorized vehicles that can ply the exclusive bus lane:
– LTFRB-authorized buses, including buses with special permits and/or franchises to operate on the EDSA Busway
– On-duty ambulances
– Firetrucks
– Philippine National Police (PNP) vehicles
– Service vehicles performing their duties for the EDSA Busway Project, including but not limited to construction, security, janitorial, and maintenance services within the EDSA Busway.
Likewise, the following top government officials are also allowed to use the busway — the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Supreme Court Chief Justice.
To strengthen the guidelines identifying the vehicles that can use the EDSA Busway, Bautista said hefty penalties are expected to deter motorists from plying along the busway.
“Considering that the EDSA Busway is operating under a limited capacity, the Department believes that imposing stiffer penalties would restrict its use to authorized buses and therefore enhance its mobility and serviceability,” said Bautista.