Isa na namang SUV na may plakang "7" na nakalaan para sa mga senador ang nahuling dumaan sa EDSA busway nitong Linggo ng gabi pero hindi nagpa-tiket at basta na lang umalis.

Sa Facebook page ng Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT), makikita sa video ng puting SUV na may plakang '7' ang pinahinto ng mga enforcer dahil sa pagdaan sa EDSA Busway sa northbound lane ng Guadalupe Station.

Kahit pinatigil ang SUV, dahan-dahan pa rin itong umuusad kahit nasa harapan niya si Secretariat Sarah Barnachea ng DOTr-SAICT dakong 6:58 p.m.

"While assisting buses to move forward, Secretariat Sarah Barnachea of the DOTr-SAICT noticed the white SUV illegally passing through the bus lane. Secretariat Barnachea approached the vehicle to apprehend and verify the driver's identity. However, the driver, instead of cooperating, attempted to run over Secretariat Barnachea and flee the scene," saad post ng Department of Transportation-SAICT.

"Despite their efforts to approach the driver politely and perform their duties, the driver continued to resist and eventually reversed the vehicle until reaching the open barrier, where they managed to escape. Adding to the disrespectful behavior, a passenger in the back seat of the SUV raised its middle finger at the officers as they fled," saad pa sa post.

Ayon sa SAICT, ipadadala nila ang video sa Land Transportation Office para padalhan ng Show Cause Order ang may-ari ng sasakyan.

"We condemn the actions of the driver and the passenger in this incident. Our officers were simply doing their jobs to maintain order and ensure the smooth flow of traffic. We will work closely with the authorities to identify and apprehend the individuals responsible and hold them accountable for their actions," sabi ni Executive Assistant to the DOTr Secretary Jonathan Gesmundo sa post.

Sa panayam ng GMA News Unang Balita nitong Lunes, sinabi ni Gesmundo na makikipag-ugnayan sila sa LTO para matukoy ang pagkakakilanlan ng may-ari ng sasakyan.

"Mukhang totoong siyete [plaka] pero malalaman namin 'yan ngayong umaga sa LTO. Ipapa-trace namin kung kaninong sasakyan, kanino nakarehistro," pahayag ng opisyal.

Ayon kay Gesmundo, kabilang sa pakay ng DOTR-SAICT officer sa pagsita sa SUV ay malaman kung talaga bang may senador na nakasakay sa sasakyan.

SINO ANG SAKAY?

Hiniling naman ni Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero sa LTO na tukuyin kung sino ang may-ari ng SUV.

"The actions of the driver/passenger are unacceptable. I urge LTO to identify the owner-user of the vehicle and to inform the Senate as soon as possible," sabi ni Escudero sa pahayag nitong Lunes.

Kung miyembro ng Senado ang may-ari ng sasakyan, sinabi ni Escudero na, "I expects him/her to come forward and instruct the person/s driving the vehicle to responsibly face the consequences...of their actions" as soon as they find out about the incident and "to surrender and present themselves to the authorities accordingly."

Nitong nakaraang Abril, ilang sasakyan na may protocol license plates ‘7’ (para sa mga senador)  at ‘8’ (para sa mga kongresista)  ang sinita dahil sa pagdaan sa EDSA busway.

Isa sa mga nasita ang sasakyan ni Escudero na ginagamit umano ng "driver of a family member" nang mahuli ito.

Hindi pa Senate President si Escudero nang mangyari ang insidente.

Batay sa patakaran ng DOTR, ang mga maaari lang na gumamit ng busway ay ang:

  •     LTFRB-authorized buses for the EDSA busway route, including buses with special permits and/or franchises to operate on the EDSA busway route;
  •     on-duty ambulances, fire trucks, and Philippine National Police vehicles;
  •     service vehicles performing their duties for the EDSA Busway Project, including but not limited to construction, security, janitorial, and maintenance services within the EDSA Busway;
  •     President of the Philippines;
  •     Vice President of the Philippines;
  •     Senate President;
  •     Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
  •     Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

May multang P5,000 sa unang paglabag sa pagdaan sa EDSA Busway, at P10,000, sa second offense,  at may kasamang one-month suspension ng driver’s license, at mandatory road safety seminar.

Sa ikatlong paglabag, multang P20,000 ang ipapataw sa motorista, bukod pa sa one-year suspension ng driver’s license. Habang P30,000 ang multa sa ika-apat na pagkakataon na masisita, at posibleng tanggalan ng lisensiya ang driver.— mula sa ulat ni Hana Bordey/FRJ, GMA Integrated News