SENATOR Francis ”Chiz” Escudero issued an apology on Friday after his vehicle bearing a protocol license plate was caught traversing the EDSA Busway on Thursday.
”In the morning of April 11, 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.
”The No. 7 protocol plate was also abused because vehicles with these plates are not allowed to use bus lanes.”
Senators are authorized to use the No. 7 protocol license plate for vehicles registered in their name and/or officially assigned to them, according to Executive Order 56 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on March 25.
Unauthorized use of protocol license plates may cause the revocation of the granted authority, confiscation, and imposition of an appropriate penalty.
”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 LTO (Land Transportation Office),” Escudero said.
He also commended the authorities for their vigilance.
”I apologize to the public and my colleagues in the Senate for this oversight. Moving forward, I commit to [ensuring] that the protocol plates entrusted to me are used appropriately, consistent with the provisions of Executive Order No. 56, s. 2024,” Escudero said.
