LTO probes SUV with government plates using EDSA busway

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a show cause order (SCO) to a government financial institution after its red license plate was found affixed to a different vehicle that illegally entered the EDSA Bus Carousel.

According to the LTO, the red plate with number SAA 1023 is registered to a Toyota Hi-Ace van under the said government agency. However, the plate was seen on a Toyota Fortuner that was flagged for unauthorized use of the EDSA Busway.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said the incident is under investigation to determine how the license plate ended up being used by another vehicle.

“This is not right and it is clearly a blatant disregard for our laws. In issuing the show cause order to this government financial institution, they will be informed of the misconduct committed by some of their personnel and we aim to precisely identify who these individuals are,” said Mendoza.

He also emphasized the need for accountability across all sectors, noting that the enforcement of traffic laws applies to government officials as much as it does to private motorists.

“Our strict implementation of the laws and road safety rules and regulations covers not only private motorists but also those in the government because as our DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said, we in the government should be the one to lead by example,” he added.

The LTO’s action follows a complaint filed by the Department of Transportation-Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT), which reported that a white SUV entered the Ortigas portion of the EDSA Busway without authorization. The driver initially stopped when flagged down but fled the scene shortly after.