Manila Drivers Fined for False Name-Dropping in EDSA Busway Incident

Manila, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) issued fines to two drivers for illegally using the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) busway and falsely claiming to have Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. on board.

According to Philippines News Agency, the drivers were apprehended on Thursday and each fined PHP 5,000. Artes met with the drivers after being contacted by the owner of the vehicles via a mutual acquaintance. During the meeting, the drivers admitted that Senator Revilla was neither in the vehicles nor the owner of them. The MMDA has not disclosed the identity of the vehicle owner. The agency is currently investigating the incident and evaluating its procedures for enforcing EDSA bus lane regulations.

The controversy began when MMDA traffic enforcers stopped two vehicles, bearing protocol plates reserved for high-ranking government officials, for traversing the EDSA busway. The drivers claimed Senator Revilla was their passenger, leading to their initial release. However, it was later confirmed that Revilla was not present in the vehicles, and he was in Cavite at the time of the incident.

The MMDA also placed Bong Nebrija, Chief of the MMDA Task Force Special Operations Unit, under preventive suspension. This decision was not for fulfilling his duties, but for exceeding them by incorrectly stating that the MMDA has a policy allowing certain individuals to use the EDSA busway and wrongly implicating Senator Revilla.

Senator Revilla, who denied involvement in the incident, has accepted an apology from Nebrija and the MMDA. He has chosen not to pursue further action and will not challenge the proposed 2024 MMDA budget.