Senate President Francis Escudero yesterday urged the owner of the sports utility vehicle (SUV) bearing license plate No. 7 who reportedly tried to run over a female traffic enforcer after being caught driving inside the bus lane to surface and take responsibility.
Escudero issued the statement before the Land Transportation Office informed his office that the number “7” protocol plate used by the SUV was fake.
Acting on the inquiry sought by Escudero about the incident that has since gone viral, the LTO noted that no “7” protocol plate was issued for the vehicle.
The Senate President initially aired his suspicion about the legitimacy of the protocol plate seen in the viral video—noting that the “7” plates issued to senators bear no other markings, including years or dates similar to the one seen on the SUV.
“The LTO has proven that the plated used by the SUV in the video is fake. This issue should not end here. The LTO should identify the owner of the vehicle and make him pay for violating the law,” Escudero said.
The number “7” protocol plates are issued exclusively to vehicles of senators and as Escudero explained, carries with it no special privileges, including entering and traversing on lanes exclusively for PUBs.
“We thank the LTO for their swift action on this incident. However, 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.
Department of Transportation’s Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT) reported that their Secretariat, Sarah Barnachea, noticed on Sunday evening the white SUV with a number 7 license plate illegally passing through the Guadalupe Station’s northbound EDSA bus lane and approached the vehicle to apprehend the driver.
However, the driver attempted to run over Barnachea and flee the scene.
Another traffic enforcer, identified as Secretariat Reyno, helped in trying to apprehend the driver and his passengers, but the driver continued to resist and eventually managed to get away.
A passenger in the back seat was also reported to have raised a middle finger at the traffic officers.
The Senate Chief reminded his colleagues in Congress that they are representatives of the people and that their actions, no matter how big or small, will always reflect on the institution that they serve.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “LTO probes viral SUV incident involving Senate car at EDSA busway.”
