Singson ups ‘reward’; MMDA accepts but no strings attached

FORMER Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson doubled his ‘reward’ to the traffic enforcers who flagged his two-vehicle convoy that illegally took the Edsa busway, with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority accepting it but strongly noted that it does not have any strings attached.

MMDA acting chairperson Romando Artes stressed that the money has “no strings attached” since there is “no exception” to rules on the utilization of the special lane on Edsa. 

Likewise, Artes said that the money to the traffic enforcers is being treated as a “donation” to the agency.

Courtesy: MMDA

“[Ito ay] pupunta po ‘yan sa general fund ng MMDA. Hindi po ‘yan idi-distribute sa particular [na] tao o group. So iko-consider po ‘yan na donasyon sa ahensya – not for a specific purpose, but pupunta po sa general fund na kailangan pong i-allocate ng Metro Manila Council bago po pwedeng gastusin,” Artes said.

Earlier, Singson issued both an apology and a congratulatory message to the traffic enforcers who apprehended his convoy for using the Edsa busway.

He had earlier said that he would like to reward them P100,000 “for doing a great job and treating everyone equally.”

But Artes said that there are no strings attached and if Singson’s convoy passes through the busway once more, they will be flagged again.

“Again, wala pong strings attached, ‘yan. Hindi ibig sabihin na tinanggap namin, ‘yung donasyon ay pwede nang dumaan si Gov. Chavit sa busway. Wala po tayong ganon. Wala pong exemption dyan,” Artes emphasized.