Sec. Remulla clarifies ‘no instruction to violate’ buslane
On the night of February 25, 2025, operatives of the Department of Transportation-Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT) flagged down a Philippine National Police (PNP) convoy that had illegally entered and used the EDSA Busway (video here). PNP chief, Police General Rommel Marbil later confirmed that it was indeed an official PNP convoy with high-ranking officials en route to Camp Crame for an emergency meeting.
“Yesterday there [was] an emergency and there [was] an issue that we have to resolve, so the SILG (DILG Secretary) will announce the accomplishment yesterday. We need the presence of our police higher-ups because they had a closed-door meeting and something happened in the operation last night,” said Police General Rommel Marbil.
As for the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), it says that it did not give instructions to the PNP to violate the government’s EDSA Buslane policy.
“[Marbil] was aware of the operations. I asked him to appear. Whatever his methodology was to get there, let me make it clear: I did not give instructions to violate any traffic laws to get there,” said Interior and Local Government Secretary, Jonvic Remulla.
Remulla also said that the DILG and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) had already agreed on a zero-tolerance policy for government officials who would violate the busway.
“Even I don't use the bus lane. We have a firm agreement with the [MMDA] that there is a zero-tolerance policy.”
In an earlier statement, the PNP claimed that under certain conditions, they are allowed to use the busway.
“There is something in the guidelines that if the PNP officers are in an urgent situation and emergency in nature, they can pass through [the buslane],” said PNP spokesperson, BGen. Jean Fajardo.
Under the existing DOTr busway policy, aside from buses, only emergency vehicles such as ambulances carrying patients, the President, Vice President, Chief of Justice, Senate President, and House Speaker are allowed to use the EDSA Busway.
Since November 2023, busway violators face PHP 5,000 penalty for the first offense, and up to PHP 30,000 plus revocation of driver’s license in the 4th and final offense.
