The Senator has issued an apology and explanation after the viral incident.
In a statement on Friday, April 12, Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero came out as the owner of the vehicle with the license plate 7, which was apprehended by traffic officials a day before.
The erring vehicle, which Escudero claimed ownership over, was pulled over by officials while traversing the northbound lane along EDSA Ortigas.
According to Escudero, “[t]he use of the protocol plate was unauthorized, as the vehicle was being driven by the driver of a family member,” who he did not name.
Moreover, the Senator said: “The No. 7 protocol plate was also abused because vehicles with these plates are not allowed to use bus lanes.”
“Following the incident, I have directed the driver to appear before the LTO to comply with the show-cause order issued to him and answer the charges he faces for the violation,” he added.
Escudero also revealed the he does “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.”
Despite the apprehension, ‘Chiz’ commended authorities “for their vigilance” and reiterated his support for the government’s efforts in implementing traffic rules.
Moving forward, he will “commit to ensure that the protocol plates entrusted to [Escudero] are used appropriately.”
The EDSA bus lane, which was first implemented in 2020, has been limited to only allow public buses, emergency vehicles like ambulances, select government vehicles, and official vehicles used by the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, and Chief Justice.
Aside from Senator Escudero, a vehicle former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson was riding was also recently pulled over by enforcers along another portion of EDSA after using the bus lane.
Singson has since apologized for the violation and even offered a Php 100,000 grant for those who apprehended him for doing their job properly.