Chavit Singson ups ‘reward’, but MMDA says ‘no strings attached’

This is a file photo of Chavit Singson. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson doubled his “reward”  to traffic enforcers who caught his two-vehicle convoy illegally using the Edsa busway.

But the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the money has “no strings attached” as there is “no exemption” to rules on the utilization of the special lane on Edsa. It even said that Singson’s prize money to the traffic enforcers is deemed a mere “donation” to the agency.

At a Monday press conference,  MMDA chairperson Romando Artes said Singson donated P200,000 to the agency.

READ: Chavit Singson caught on Edsa bus lane, enforcers apologetic

“[Ito ay] pupunta po ‘yan sa general fund ng MMDA. Hindi po ‘yan idi-distribute sa particular [na] tao o group. So iko-consider po ‘yan na donasyon sa ahensya – not for a specific purpose, but pupunta po sa general fund na kailangan pong i-allocate ng Metro Manila Council bago po pwedeng gastusin,” Artes emphasized.

(This will go to the general fund of the MMDA. This will not be distributed to a particular person or group. It will be considered a donation to the agency – not for a specific purpose. It will go to the general fund, which the Metro Manila Council should allocate before it can be spent.)

Singson congratulated the traffic enforcers who apprehended his convoy for using the Edsa busway, saying he would like to reward them P100,000 “for doing a great job and treating everyone equally.”

Artes, however, maintained that despite the donation, there are still no strings attached between the MMDA and the former Ilocos Sur governor.

READ: Convoy of President, other top gov’t officials allowed to use Edsa busway

“Again, wala pong strings attached, ‘yan. Hindi ibig sabihin na tinanggap namin, ‘yung donasyon ay pwede nang dumaan si Gov. Chavit sa busway. Wala po tayong ganon. Wala pong exemption dyan,” Artes emphasized.

(Again, there are no strings attached. Just because we accepted the donation does not mean that [former] Governor Chavit can travel on the busway. There is no exemption here.)

Artes also vowed that the MMDA would continue to enforce the rules and make sure that only those on the list of authorized officials and government offices would be allowed to use the special lane on Edsa.