Only less than 30 people own the same car model of a vehicle that illegally used the EDSA busway with a fake ‘7’ protocol plate assigned to senators, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) said on Tuesday.
“Initial info po natin, wala pa nga pong 30. But we’re still looking baka meron tayong hindi nai-type, na ma-search so we’re still looking po kung ‘yun na po talaga ‘yung numero,” LTO executive director Atty. Greg Pua Jr. told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview.
(We have initial information, it’s less than 30. But we’re still looking, maybe we have missed something so we’re still looking if that’s really the number.)
However, Pua noted that these are just registered owners of the involved car model Cadillac Escalade.
He said LTO cannot check the unregistered owners.
Aside from the car model, the LTO is also looking into the possible conduction sticker seen attached to the windshield of the concerned vehicle to help identify its owner.
“Doon sa video parang meron po tayong nakita, although blurred, na orange na nasa windshield po noong driver side (In the video, we saw something orange on the windshield on the driver’s side),” Pua said.
“We’re coordinating with other agencies. Baka may video po sila, ma-enhance, may video po sila na mas malinaw, makita po natin agad ang conduction sticker,” he added.
(We’re coordinating with other agencies. Maybe they have a video that can be enhanced so we can see the conduction sticker more clearly.)
Pua called on those who have information on the vehicle owner to coordinate with authorities.
On Sunday evening, a vehicle bearing a “7” protocol plate assigned to senators was caught using the EDSA busway.
The LTO however said that “there was no protocol plate issued to the particular SUV” that was involved in the incident, according to Senate President Chiz Escudero.
Based on the Department of Transportation’s policy, only the following are allowed to use the busway:
- LTFRB-authorized buses for the EDSA busway route, including buses with special permits and/or franchises to operate on the EDSA busway route;
- on-duty ambulances, fire trucks, 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 within the EDSA Busway;
- President of the Philippines;
- Vice President of the Philippines;
- Senate President;
- Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
- Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Stiff fines have also been imposed for EDSA Busway violators. First-time offenders are fined P5,000, while the second offense would entail a P10,000 fine, a one-month suspension of the driver’s license, and a mandatory road safety seminar.
The third offense would have a P20,000 fine on top of a one-year suspension of the driver’s license, while the fourth offense would have a P30,000 fine and a recommendation to the LTO for the driver’s license to be revoked. —KG, GMA Integrated News
