Chiz Escudero Addresses Busway Incident Involving a Senator
CHIZ ESCUDERO – The Senate President issued a statement on Monday, November 4, 2024, regarding a controversial vehicle with license plate number 7 that illegally traversed the EDSA busway and escaped from personnel of the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) on the evening of November 3.
Escudero called on the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to promptly identify the driver and passengers of the vehicle. “I urge the LTO to identify the owner-user of the vehicle and to inform the Senate as soon as possible,” stated Escudero.
He also insisted that the driver’s actions towards the two SAICT officials were unacceptable, as the driver reportedly made an offensive gesture towards them. Additionally, Escudero expressed hope that if it is proven that a member of the Senate owns the vehicle, they should report their driver, who was operating the vehicle, to the authorities.
“If indeed the owner is a member of the Senate, I expect him/her to come forward and instruct the person/s driving the vehicle to be responsible and face the consequences of their actions,” Escudero stated.
He further emphasized that it is only right for them to confront the legal violations they committed. “As soon as they know and find out about the incident themselves and to surrender and present themselves to the authorities accordingly,” added Escudero.
In April of this year, Senator Chiz Escudero publicly apologized after his vehicle was apprehended for unauthorized use of the EDSA Busway on April 11. He clarified that he does not personally use the protocol plate, as the vehicle was being driven by a family member’s driver at the time of the incident.
Escudero’s vehicle was cited by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for misusing the bus lane. He emphasized his commitment to surrender the protocol plates to the Land Transportation Office and has instructed the driver to address the charges with the MMDA.