DOTr acting chief revokes transport officials’ protocol license plates
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, on Oct. 13, revoked Department of Transportation officials' authority to use protocol license plates to prevent misuse.
In a memorandum issued on Monday, Lopez said he is "revoking all previously issued authorization to use protocol license plates given to officials of the DOTr Central Office, including its Sectoral and Attached Agencies and Corporations."
He then directed the concerned officials to "surrender the protocol license plates issued to them."
The order is meant to prevent the misuse and abuse of special government license plates. It stems from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s direction prohibiting government officials and employees from using the special license plates to avoid traffic and possible apprehensions.
Following the order of revocation, Lopez also forbade the use of "sirens, blinkers, and other similar signaling or flashing devices by officials in DOTr Central Office, its Sectoral and Attached Agencies, and Corporations."
The agency is working with the Land Transportation Office to implement the acting chief's orders and monitor officials' compliance.
DOTr Usec uses unauthorized number '10' plate
Earlier, on Oct. 8, a video circulating on social media showed the driver of DOTr Undersecretary for Special Concerns Ricky Alfonso, whose Lexus sports utility vehicle bore a number 10 protocol plate and used blinkers, getting into a traffic altercation with a utility vehicle.
According to Executive Order No. 56, the number 10 plate is assigned to the presiding justice and other justices of the Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, Sandiganbayan, and Solicitor General.
In the video, Alfonso's driver can be heard saying, "VIP kami, ginanu'n kami. Eh kung nabaril namin 'yan?"
Toward the end of the video, Alfonso can be seen speaking with traffic enforcers.
Prior to the altercation, Alfonso's SUV and the utility vehicle allegedly wouldn't give way to each other. The other motorist also said Alfonso's driver supposedly slapped him.
Lopez has ordered Alfonso to explain why his unauthorized SUV was using the number 10 plate. While Alfonso's position as undersecretary gives him the privilege to use the plate, the SUV involved in the Oct. 8 altercation was not the vehicle registered with the protocol plate.
The LTO has placed a 90-day suspension on the license of Alfonso's driver, who has since been fired.
The agency added that he is "required to appear before the agency to explain why his license should not be suspended or revoked for possible violations related to the improper use of protocol plates and accessories."
According to reports, Alfonso has since apologized.
