THE convoy of former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson was apprehended yesterday for violating the EDSA Bus Lane policy, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said.
MMDA Special Operations Group Strike Force head Gabriel Go said Singson was in one of the vehicles, an armored SUV, in the two-vehicle convoy accosted yesterday morning.
“We are just enforcing what is right. As long as you are not authorized to use the bus lane, we will apprehend you. We have to be fair. We have to implement what is right,” said Go.
Go said Singson was apologetic and did not resist or question the infraction of his driver, who was issued a traffic violation ticket.
Under existing policy, only authorized vehicles are allowed to utilize the EDSA bus carousel lane.
These include public utility buses, emergency vehicles, and clearly marked government vehicles responding to emergencies.
Under MMDA Regulation 23-002, unauthorized vehicles that use the EDSA bus carousel lane will be meted a P5,000 fine for the first offense and P10,000 for the second offense plus one-month suspension of the driver’s license and required to undergo a road safety seminar.
For the third offense, a fine of P20,000, and a one-year suspension of the driver’s license will be imposed.
For the fourth offense, the MMDA said a P30,000 fine would be imposed while a recommendation would also be made to the Land Transportation Office to revoke the driver’s license of the erring motorist.
