LTO summons ‘mayor’ for EDSA busway violation

MANILA, Philippines — A motorist who introduced himself as a mayor of Bulacan has been summoned by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for using the EDSA bus lane and attempting to run over a traffic enforcer.

A certain Mayor Perez of Bulacan, who sped away in a blue Toyota Hilux (NBT-1001), and Maria Helenita Gaviola Perez, the registered owner of the pick-up truck, were ordered to appear at the LTO central office in Quezon City at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

LTO Law Enforcement Service Director II Francis Ray Almora said the motorist was directed to present a written explanation on why his driver’s license should not be suspended or revoked.

Almora said if the motorist fails to show up at the LTO hearing, the board would decide right away whether or not to cancel his driver’s license.

On Thursday, a traffic enforcer blocked the driver of the pick-up truck for using the EDSA-Ortigas busway.

The driver attempted to hit the traffic enforcer three times, based on video footage of the Department of Transportation’s Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation.

The motorist stopped only after a motorcycle rider blocked his path.

During the confrontation with the traffic enforcer, the driver said he did not have a license.

The driver namedropped acting Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes and introduced himself as Mayor Perez of Bulacan.

Records, however, show that there is no incumbent mayor of Bulacan named Perez.

The driver may face charges for unauthorized use of the EDSA bus lane and for threatening the traffic enforcer.

The enforcer did not issue a citation ticket to the motorist.

The EDSA busway is exclusively for public utility buses, ambulances and marked government vehicles responding to emergencies.

Only the convoys of the president, vice president, Senate president, speaker of the House of Representatives and chief justice are authorized to use the EDSA Carousel.