2 drivers who namedropped Revilla’s name while using Edsa busway surface

BONG FACES BONG: Senator Bong Revilla Jr. (left) confronts MMDA Task Force Special Operations Unit Head Col. Bong Nebrija (right, in blue MMDA uniform) as MMDA Chairman Romando Artes (middle) looks on when they meet in the Senate on Nov. 15, 2023. Nebrija and Artes apologize to the senator for dragging his name in a busway violation mess. INQUIRER.net / MAILA AGER

MANILA, Philippines — Two drivers who used Senator Ramon Revilla Jr.’s name to illegally use the Edsa bus lane appeared before the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and surrendered themselves to officials on Thursday afternoon.

According to MMDA Chairman Romando Artes, the agency issued traffic violation tickets to the drivers and took their statements on what happened during the incident.

READ: MMDA: Marked gov’t vehicles prohibited from Edsa busway starting Monday

“The two drivers admitted that Senator Revilla was not on board their vehicle when they were flagged down by traffic enforcers implementing the Edsa Bus Lane regulation. Also, Revilla is not the owner of the vehicle,” the agency said in a statement.

Likewise, Artes said in an earlier press briefing that the apprehending officers, including Task Force Special Operations Unit Head Col. Bong Nebrija, admitted not seeing Revilla inside the vehicle and just relied on the statement of the drivers.

He added that the MMDA already penalized the drivers for violating the bus lane’s regulation — with P5,000 as a first offense; however, he added that Revilla will have the final say on whether to charge them.

READ:MMDA chief: Nebrija’s suspension ‘not because of political pressure’

After the busway fiasco, the MMDA chief suspended Nebrija, citing his mistakes as the primary reason and not due to political pressure.

Nebrija apologized to the senator, who later accepted his apology but called for the former’s resignation.

Among the mistakes Artes mentioned were announcing the names of Revilla and former Ako Bicol Rep. Christopher Co before the media or violating the Data Privacy Act, disseminating fake news involving the officials, and letting the vehicles pass through.