Metro Manila, Philippines – Transportation officials can no longer use special government-issued license plates, acting Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez said, after an agency undersecretary whose vehicle has a protocol plate, was involved in a viral road argument.
In a memorandum dated Oct. 13, Lopez revoked the privilege of agency officials, including its attached agencies, to prevent abuse of authority – stemming from an altercation between an aide of an undersecretary and a private person.A joint administrative order allows officials with the equivalent rank of some high-ranking officials to use protocol plates upon recommendation of the Land Transportation Office and the approval of the transportation chief.Lopez said he is revoking all authorization, while the LTO reviews certain provisions of the order. “All concerned officials shall surrender the protocol license plates issued to them and the LTO shall undertake the necessary coordination to implement this directive,” he said.The secretary reminded his officials that they are prohibited from using sirens, blinkers, and similar devices that produce “loud or startling sounds.”In a memorandum dated Oct. 10, Lopez asked Ricky Alfonso, undersecretary for internal audit and special affairs, to explain his involvement in a quarrel that involved a supposed privilege of his vehicle’s protocol plate “10.” The DOTr said Alfonso’s staff was seen arguing with a private vehicle driver on Katipunan Ave. in Quezon City on Oct. 9, as the aide insisted his passenger is a “VIP” that should have priority traffic access. Alfonso mediated between the two. The agency said the private person said he was punched by the aide while.
