Chavit Singson says vehicle was on test drive, up for sale

Netizens were quick to point out that the convoy of former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson had no license plate, and conduction sticker, and has blinkers after being apprehended for using the EDSA Busway, according to Tina Panganiban-Perez’s “24 Oras” report.

“Yung sasakyan po niya, meron namang naka-indicate na parang file number sa sasakyan. However, yun nga po. ‘Yung pagti-ticket po ng MMDA, wala kasi kaming paniket when it comes to yung mga PD 96,” said MMDA Special Operations Strike Force Officer-in-charge Gabriel Go.

(A file number was indicated on his vehicle. However, the issuance of the ticket was for the violation of EDSA Busway. We don’t have tickets for PD 96.)

Presidential Decree No. 96 states declares unlawful the use or attachment of sirens, bells, horns, whistles or similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds, including domelights and other signalling or flashing devices on motor vehicles.

“We cannot apprehend based…Ang sa amin lang po, initial violation po namin is the busway ordinance. As regard to the registration, yung mga paggamit po ng mga bawal na let’s say blinkers, it falls either sa LTO o sa…,” Go added. 

(We cannot apprehend based on…The initial violation was for the busway ordinance. As regards the registration or the improper use of blinkers, that falls under the jurisdiction of the LTO.)

On Monday, MMDA personnel flagged down the convoy of the former governor for using the EDSA Busway. 

Singson said he was on his way to a television network for an interview when his two-car convoy was spotted traversing the bus lane. He then offered a P100,000 reward to the traffic enforcers.

“Hindi naman blinker. Walang plaka talaga dahil yung bibili, siya na magrehistro. Madodoble naman. Tine-test drive na lang. sinakyan ko na para makita lahat ng diperensiya,” he said in an interview over Super Radyo DZBB. 

(That’s not a blinker. The vehicle has no license plate because the buyer has yet to register it. We’re just test-driving it.)

GMA Integrated News has tried several times to get additional statements from other MMDA officials, LTO, and Singson. But there were no additional statements issued as of posting.

Starting November 2023, motorists who use the EDSA bus lane will face stiffer penalties of up to P30,000.

Under MMDA Regulation No. 23-002, the increased fines for the violation of both public and private vehicles are:

• First offense – P5,000
• Second offense – P10,000 plus one month suspension of driver’s license, and required to undergo a road safety seminar
• Third offense – P20,000 plus one year suspension of driver’s license
• Fourth offense – P30,000 plus recommendation to Land Transportation Office for revocation of driver’s license.

— Sundy Locus/BAP, GMA Integrated News