Drivers Who Name-Dropped Senator Bong Revilla in EDSA Bus Lane Violation to Surrender, According to MMDA
MMDA said that drivers who name-dropped Senator Bong Revilla in EDSA bus lane violation are set to surrender themselves.
On Thursday (November 16, 2023), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes said that their personnel were set to meet the drivers who tagged Senator Bong Revilla in the issue..
Artes said that two vehicle drivers who name-dropped the lawmaker reached out to him. The agency set a meeting today to admit their wrongdoing and to face sanctions for their violation.
The car owners were apprehended by the MMDA personnel on Wednesday (November 15, 2023) for using the bus lane. The agency will set corresponding penalties but it is up to Revilla to file necessary charges against the drivers.
“Nag-reach out na rin po ‘yung may-ari ng dalawang sasakyan na nag-name drop kay Senator Revilla. Pupunta po ‘yung driver mamaya. Before lunch daw po ay pupunta sila dito para po akuin ‘yung kanilang pagkakamali at mapatawan sila nang kaukulang penalty para d’on po sa paggamit ng bus lane,” Artes said.
According to the MMDA official, the traffic enforcers who reported Senator Revilla’s alleged involvement in the incident were called to confirm if the individuals surrendering were the same people apprehended last Wednesday.
The MMDA is also in the process of filing a complaint with the Land Transportation Office to identify whose names were used in the vehicle registration. Chairman Artes stressed that the agency has no policy allowing government officials to escape traffic violations due to inter-agency courtesy.
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He clarified that any discretion exercised in apprehending VIPs, such as congressmen or senators, was a claim made by the suspended MMDA Task Force Special Operations chief, Colonel Bong Nebrija, and not a standing MMDA policy.
Artes emphasized that the MMDA does not consider ranks or positions when issuing tickets for traffic violations. He stated that it would be unfair to exempt certain motorists from penalties.
“Walang tatangiin, walang sisinuhin. Unfair po ‘yan sa ating motorista na nahuhuli at natitiketan. Kaya po ‘pag wala po sa listahan, kailangan mong hulihin,” he said.
