SENATE President Francis Escudero has called for an investigation into a white Cadillac Escalade that escaped after being flagged down by an enforcer for illegally using the Edsa bus lane.
Escudero has requested the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to identify the registered owner and driver of the vehicle, as well as to determine if the SUV was using a legitimate “7” protocol license plate issued to senators.
The incident, captured in a viral video, shows the SUV reversing to escape the bus lane, nearly running over a DOTr-SAICT enforcer who had flagged it down. The SUV allegedly used a fake “7” protocol plate, with “19th Congress 2022-2025” underneath, and a passenger in the back seat reportedly raised their middle finger at the officers as they fled.
Escudero, who previously apologized for a similar incident involving a Toyota Land Cruiser bearing a “7” license plate belonging to his office, emphasized that the use of protocol plates is not limited to senators and that the LTO is responsible for issuing and assigning them. He also reiterated that the driver of the Escalade should be held accountable for violating traffic regulations.
The LTO has confirmed that no protocol plate was issued to the white Escalade and has issued a show cause order to the registered owner and driver. They are currently coordinating with Escudero’s office to gather more information about the SUV driver and passengers.
Jonathan Gesmundo, executive assistant to the transportation secretary, condemned the actions of the driver and passenger, emphasizing that the DOTr-SAICT enforcers were simply performing their duties to maintain order and ensure the smooth flow of traffic.
