Chiz Escudero sorry after vehicle with his protocol plate caught on EDSA busway

Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Friday apologized to the public after his vehicle bearing a protocol plate for senators was apprehended on April 11 for using the EDSA Busway.

However, he clarified that he does not use the protocol license plate and the vehicle was being used by the "driver of a family member" when it was caught.

"In the morning of 11 April 2024, a vehicle bearing protocol license plates issued to me was apprehended by the MMDA for improperly using the bus lane on Edsa. The use of the protocol plate was unauthorized, as the vehicle was being driven by the driver of a family member," Escudero said in a statement.

"I do not personally use the protocol license plates issued to me, and forthwith the protocol plates involved in the incident will be surrendered to the [Land Transportation Office]," he added.

With this incident, Escudero said he has directed the driver to appear before the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to comply with the show-cause order issued to him and to answer the charges he faces for the violation.

"I apologize to the public and my colleagues in the Senate for this oversight. Moving forward, I commit to ensure that the protocol plates entrusted to me are used appropriately, consistent with the provisions of Executive Order No. 56, s. 2024," he said, referring to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s latest order regulating the issuance of protocol plates to government officials.

On Thursday morning, traffic authorities apprehended vehicles with "7" and "8" protocol license plates for using the EDSA busway. However, the violators, including the car with "7" protocol plate fled after they were caught.

Escudero did not provide further details as to whether he was inside the car when it was apprehended.—AOL, GMA Integrated News