The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is currently investigating the report that Senator Ramon 'Bong' Revilla was allegedly apprehended by the MMDA in the EDSA northbound busway in Mandaluyong on Wednesday, November 15.
During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum with Marichu Villanueva, MMDA Special Task Force Operations Chief Col. Bong Nebrija said that they are investigating the traffic enforcer who reported to him that Revilla was the one inside a convoy which MMDA authorized to passby.
"Ang haba po ng operations namin, hindi ko naman po kayang puntahan lahat yan, so I rely on the communications that they have na sinasabi sa akin. I-clinear naman po ng enforcer, to be fair," said Nebriaja.
According to the MMDA Special Task Force Operation Chief , the traffic enforcer confirmed to him that the Senator was inside the vehicle, making him decide on an order to let it pass the exclusive bus way.
“Pinapagawa ko ng spot report ‘yung enforcer na nagsabi na nandon s’ya kasi yun lang ang basis namin to let him go, na nandon sya. Kasi kung wala si Senator Bong, di tinuluyan sana namin pero sinasabi ng mga tao nandyan si Senator Bong, nasa loob. So what can we do? We’re just doing our job,” he said.
In an interview during Damdaming Bayan, Revilla denied the allegations, saying that the "malicious" report is not true, adding that he did not pass through EDSA in Mandaluyong.
"Medyo unfair yata yung ginawa ng MMDA. Papaano ako napunta ng EDSA? Papaano ako napadaan dyan? Eh, if ever na tayo’y tutungo ng QC, ang dinadaanan natin ay Skyway, so imposibleng nandyan tayo sa EDSA bus lane na sinasabi niyan at never tayong nag-ganon,” the Senator said.
Reviilla also said he would invite the MMDA in the Senate to explain the incident in which his name was involved.
“Nakakasama ng loob at napakaaga atang pulitika ito o paninira [...] Ipapatawag nga nating itong ang MMDA at ipapa-recall ko ang budget nila, kung sila'y tapos na. Pagpapaliwanagin ko sila sa Senate,” he said.
Meanwhile, MMDA Chairman Romando 'Don' Artes asked the Senator's forgiveness regarding the incident.
"Hindi ko pa po alam yung buong pangyayare. Babalik po ako ng opisina, iimbesigaahan ko po 'yan at we'll make the necessary statement and announcement regarding this matter, but sa ngayon pa lamang po ako po ay humihingi ng paumanhin kay Senator Ramon Revilla. Hindi ko po alam kung paano lumabas ang kaniyang pangalan dito considering na number 8 naman po yung plaka ng vehicle," Artes said.
On Monday, the MMDA started imposing stiffer fines on unauthorized motorists who will be using the EDSA Bus Carousel Lane under MMDA Regulation No. 23-002.
