Palace on Edsa busway use: Don’t abuse term ’emergency’ to break rules
The Edsa busway — INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday reminded the Philippine National Police (PNP) that the term “emergency” should not be used as an excuse to break the Edsa busway rules.
At a Palace briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro was asked to comment on the PNP’s proposal to let them use the Edsa bus lane during emergencies.
“If I’m not mistaken, there is a provision that allows them to use the busway in case of an emergency and if they are on duty,” she said in Filipino.
“But this must be properly verified; it must be abused by merely using the term ’emergency.’ Before they use the busway, they must ensure that they are not misusing the privilege granted to them by simply invoking the word ’emergency,'” she added.
READ: PNP chief: Convoy had to use Edsa busway due to ‘emergency meeting’
Article continues after this advertisementCastro pointed out that emergencies do not include “emergency meetings,” which was PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil’s defense of why a PNP convoy passed through the Edsa busway Tuesday evening.
Article continues after this advertisement“When we talk about PNP members, ambulances, and fire trucks, an ’emergency meeting’ is not included as a valid emergency. If they have an emergency meeting, it would be better for them to leave their homes earlier,” she said in Filipino.
On the list of vehicles allowed to use the Edsa bus lane are ambulances on duty, fire trucks, service vehicles used for busway-related operations, and the convoys of the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker, and Chief Justice.
