Palace won’t tolerate EDSA busway ‘abuses’

MANILA, Philippines — Emergency meetings are not valid reasons for violating the EDSA busway policy, Malacañang said yesterday, reiterating that abuses of government officials in the use of the public road transport system would not be tolerated.

Malacañang issued the remark after the convoy of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil was flagged for using the EDSA bus lane on Tuesday.

The convoy – two sport utility vehicles and Highway Patrol Group motorcycles – used the busway along Ortigas and was reportedly carrying “senior police officials,” who remain unidentified.

Marbil has defended the use of the busway, saying the police officials had an emergency meeting with Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

The PNP chief has neither confirmed nor denied that he was in a car that used the EDSA bus lane.

Remulla clarified that he did not instruct the police officials to violate traffic laws to attend the meeting.

Malacañang said PNP personnel are allowed to use the EDSA busway during verified emergencies only.

“When we say members of the PNP, ambulance, fire truck, emergency meeting is not part of it,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing. “If there is an emergency meeting, it would be better if they leave their homes early.”

Only city buses, on-duty ambulances, fire trucks and convoys of the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chief Justice are allowed to use the EDSA bus lane.

More than 63 million commuters used the EDSA busway last year.

Leaked PNP memo

Meanwhile, the PNP said there is no move to manipulate the public’s perception about the police organization over the busway issue.

The PNP made the statement after a supposed leaked memorandum from the Directorate for Police Community Relations discussed alleged steps to be taken to “overshadow” the issue.

“The PNP does not condone any attempts to manipulate public perception or divert attention from matters of public concern,” it said in a statement.

The PNP said an internal verification is ongoing to determine the document’s authenticity and context.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said police officials would meet with the Department of Transportation to discuss how to strike a balance between the enforcement of traffic rules and giving leeway for police to use the busway when responding to emergencies.

“We will iron out the gray areas of the agreement in using the busway,” Fajardo said. — Emmanuel Tupas