Raffy Tulfo scolds congressman-son for EDSA Busway violation

Senator Raffy Tulfo revealed on Tuesday that he reprimanded his son, Quezon City 2nd District Representative Ralph Wendel Tulfo, for violating traffic rules after his convoy was caught using the EDSA Busway.

"Pinagalitan ko at nag-sorry siya sa akin. Ang sabi ko, 'Mag-apologize ka sa lahat.' And that’s it," the senator said during an ambush interview.

(I scolded him, and he apologized to me. I told him to apologize to everyone, and that’s it.)

Senator Tulfo explained that the apprehended SUV was part of his son’s convoy.

"Ang pagkakaalam ko... nagmamadali siya. 'Yung driver niya yata ang pumasok doon sa bus stop. At pinagalitan ko siya, pinagsabihan ko," he said.

(From what I understand, he was in a hurry. It was his driver, I think, who entered the busway. I scolded him and gave him a stern talking to.)

"In-admit naman niya. Hindi naman siya nagsinungaling at nag-apologize siya. So wala akong nakikitang problema doon as long as hindi siya tumakas, hindi siya gumamit ng plakang otso, which karapatan niyang gumamit. Pero hindi siya gumamit. It just shows na hindi siya abusado," the senator added.

(He admitted it, did not lie, and apologized. I don’t see any problem as long as he didn’t flee or use the "8" protocol plate—something he is entitled to but chooses not to use. It shows he is not abusing his position.)

The Department of Transportation’s Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) earlier reported that a convoy linked to a lawmaker was apprehended on January 23 for unauthorized use of the EDSA Busway. 

The SAICT did not identify the lawmaker.

According to the DOTr, only the following vehicles are permitted to use the EDSA Busway:

• LTFRB-authorized buses, including those with special permits or franchises for the EDSA Buswayroute;
• On-duty ambulances, fire trucks, and Philippine National Police vehicles;
• Service vehicles performing duties for the EDSA Busway Project, such as construction, security, janitorial, and maintenance;
• Vehicles carrying the following officials:
• President of the Philippines
• Vice President of the Philippines
• Senate President
• Speaker of the House of Representatives
• Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Motorists caught unauthorized on the EDSA Busway face the following penalties:

• First Offense: P5,000 fine
• Second Offense: P10,000 fine, one-month suspension of the driver’s license, and mandatory road safety seminar
• Third Offense: P20,000 fine and one-year license suspension
• Fourth Offense: P30,000 fine and a recommendation for license revocation by the Land Transportation Office

— DVM, GMA Integrated News