Chavit Singson apologizes after convoy caught using EDSA busway: 'Hindi dapat tularan'
Former Ilocos Sur governor Luis "Chavit" Singson" issued a public apology after his convoy was caught by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) using the EDSA busway.
The businessman posted his apology hours after the incident on April 8. According to a report on Super Radyo dzBB, Singson was inside one of the armored vehicles that took the busway to overtake but were stopped by the MMDA. The former governor did not resist the violation ticket.
"I'm very sorry at hindi sinasadya dahil nag-oovertake 'yung driver, hindi naman sa bus lane mismo. Nag-overtake lang sa—hindi nakasara kasi 'yun kasi bukas..." Singson said in a video posted to his Facebook account.
"Anyway, hindi dapat tularan."
The former governor also congratulated the MMDA officials who caught his convoy on the busway, adding that he wasn't mad at them and instead would give them a reward.
"'Di po ako galit doon, [bibigyan] ko nga sila ng reward. Baka akala lagay, hindi. Kakausapin ko si Chairman (Romando) Artes na bigyan ko ng premyo 'yung mga nakahuli sakin. [Bibigyan] ko ng P100,000 aside sa multa sa lisensya."
"Sorry po sa nangyari, 'di po namin sinasadya. 'Di dapat tularan."
The LCS Group of Companies founder also explained that his armored vehicle didn't have a plate number because it was newly made by his company Baluarte Motor Works. He added that the car has papers but isn't registered yet because it is still being tested.
“Tayo naman po, we are just enforcing kung ano po 'yung tama. As long as you are not authorized to use the bus lane talagang huhulihin po natin 'yan. We have to be fair. We have to implement what is right po,” MMDA special operations group - strike force head Gabriel Go told Super Radyo dzBB.
In November 2023, the Department of Transportation imposed higher fines and stricter penalties for unauthorized usage of the EDSA bus lane: P5,000 on the first offense; P10,000 fine, one-month suspension of driver’s license, and road safety seminar on the second offense; P20,000 fine and one-year suspension of driver’s license on the third offense; and P30,000 fine and cancellation of driver’s license on the fourth offense.
Vehicles authorized to use the EDSA bus lane include Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-authorized buses authorized with routes along EDSA; on-duty firetrucks, ambulances, and Philippine National Police vehicles; service vehicles with duties for the EDSA busway; and convoys of the top 5 Philippine officials.