Chavit: P100K reward offer to MMDA enforcers not 'suhol'

Former Ilocos Sur governor Luis "Chavit" Singson on Tuesday said his P100,000 reward offer to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcers who flagged his convoy down for unauthorized use of the EDSA Busway was not bribery. 

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, Singson said he offered the reward money to "encourage" enforcers to apprehend motorists who were in the wrong.   

"Gusto ko i-congratulate ang mga tao niyo at bigyan ng pabuya para ma-encourage sila na manghuli at hihirit ako ng paumanhin… Nagpaalam muna ako para hindi naman suhol, para lang ma-encourage ‘yung mga tao niya," Singson said, recalling his message to MMDA chairman Romando Artes. 

(I want to congratulate your people and give them a reward to encourage them to apprehend erring motorists. I would also apologize... I asked permission first so it wouldn't appear as a bribe, it's just to encourage his people.) 

Singson's convoy received a violation ticket from the MMDA on Monday after getting caught using the EDSA Busway. The former governor was on board the lead vehicle when they were flagged down on EDSA-Cubao.

The drivers were issued tickets for bus lane violation, an offense which carries a fine of P5,000 per vehicle. 

Following this, Singson offered a P100,000 reward to the traffic enforcers who apprehended his convoy. 

In a separate dzBB interview, MMDA Special Operations Group Strike Force chief Gabriel Go  said that it is up to the upper management of MMDA to decide whether to accept the reward offer. 

"For that part, I leave that to the upper management dahil unang-una, hindi naman nag-get in touch sa 'kin si gov (First of all, the governor did not get in touch with me)," Go said. 

GMA News Online has already reached out to Artes and the MMDA Public Information Office regarding Singson's offer but they have yet to respond as of posting time.

Go, meanwhile, maintained that the implementation of the EDSA Busway ordinance was only part of the responsibilities of the special operations group. 

"It was part of our day to day operation na binabantayan natin itong mga violators na pumapasok sa ipinagbabawal natin na busway [to monitor violators who enter the busway]," Go said. —KBK, GMA Integrated News