LTO said 7 protocol plate on EDSA busway SUV fake —Chiz

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has confirmed that the number "7" protocol plate used by the white sports utility vehicle (SUV) who escaped apprehension after using the EDSA Busway on Sunday was "fake," according to Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

In a statement, Escudero said that the LTO informed him that there was no “7” protocol plate issued for the type of vehicle that was involved in the incident.

“Napatunayan ng LTO na peke yung plaka na ginamit ng SUV sa video. Hindi dapat magtapos dito ang isyu na ito. Kailangan matukoy ng LTO kung sino ang may-ari ng sasakyan at siguraduhin na mananagot ito sa paglabag ng batas,” Escudero said.

(The LTO has proven that the license plate used by the SUV in the video is fake. This issue should not end here. The LTO needs to identify the owner of the vehicle and ensure that they are held accountable for violating the law.)

Escudero has initially expressed suspicion on the protocol plate that was seen in the Department of Transportation-Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation's (DOTr-SAICT) video.

The Senate president noted that the “7” plates issued to senators bear no other markings, including years or dates similar to the one seen on the SUV.

While he thanked the LTO for their action on the incident, the Senate President said this "should not go unpunished."

"This particular incident should not go unpunished. Not only was it a violation of multiple laws and traffic rules, it also affects the sanctity of the Senate as an institution,” Escudero said.

In an earlier statement, LTO said that "there was no protocol plate issued to the particular SUV" that was involved in the incident based on the assessment of the pieces of evidence at hand.

"Currently, we are coordinating with the DOTr-SAICT for more specific details of the white SUV that will lead to the identification of the registered owner," the LTO said.

"We assure the public that a Show Cause Order (SCO) will be issued to the registered owner and the driver of the SUV involved in the soonest possible time for them to explain the string of violations we already identified based on our existing laws and rules and regulations, including disregarding traffic signs and improper person to operate a motor vehicle," it added.

The LTO also said that they will coordinate with Escudero's office with regard to all information that it will obtain from their investigation on the incident.

Based on the DOTR's policy, only the following are allowed to use the busway:

• 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.

Stiff fines have also been imposed for EDSA Busway violators. First-time offenders are fined P5,000, while the second offense would entail a P10,000 fine, a one-month suspension of the driver’s license, and a mandatory road safety seminar.

The third offense would have a P20,000 fine on top of a one-year suspension of the driver’s license, while the fourth offense would have a P30,000 fine and a recommendation to the Land Transportation Office for the driver’s license to be revoked. —NB, GMA Integrated News