As chairman of the Philippine National Railways (PNR), Michael Macapagal had always thought that giving out calling cards was a normal thing. After all, this had been his usual practice in his previous jobs.
So it came as a shock for him that, for the first time, one of his calling cards could be used in a desperate attempt to dodge culpability for illegally using the EDSA Busway.
“The worst part was that it was reported in some media entities that I was the one who was caught, that I was the one who tried to use my position to escape accountability for such illegal action,” Macapagal told the Manila Bulletin in an interview.
“That’s not true! I was also surprised that my name came out because during that time that I was supposedly intercepted at the EDSA Busway, I was in the province,” he added.
He was referring to the incident that happened on Sunday night, May 26, wherein a driver of a Ford Ranger was apprehended by personnel of the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for using the EDSA Busway.
Based on the report, the Ford Ranger was apprehended at the northbound lane, Ortigas part of the EDSA Busway.
When confronted, the driver of the car allegedly became agitated, and claimed that he was affiliated with the DOTr, and promptly flashed the calling card of Macapagal as proof.
But Macapagal denied that he was the one driving that car: “That’s not even my car!”
Mulling charges
Macapagal said he, himself, has started looking into the incident, and found out that the registered owner of the vehicle was from Central Mindanao.
“I was told that a Show Cause Order will be issued to the registered owner of the vehicle. Actually, I am planning to coordinate with the SAICT and the Land Transportation Office to identify this driver and bring this matter to court,” Macapagal told the Manila Bulletin.
“He should be accountable because he did not only drag my name into this mess, but also the PNR,” he added.
Allowed vehicles
Hundreds of motorists were already apprehended for illegally using the EDSA Busway, the penalty is P5,000.
Based on the memorandum issued by the DOTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, the following are allowed to use the EDSA Busway:
1. LTFRB-authorized buses, including buses with special permits and/or franchises to operate on the EDSA Busway;
2. On-duty ambulances;
3. Firetrucks;
4. Philippine National Police (PNP) vehicles;
5. Service vehicles performing their duties for the EDSA Busway Project, including but not limited to construction, security, janitorial, and maintenance services within the EDSA Busway.
