'8' plate on SUV in viral video seems fake —House official

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco says the "8" protocol plate on the SUV in a viral video seems fake as he condemned the SUV driver’s misuse of the said plate.

“The House of Representatives strongly condemns the misuse of the special protocol plate number “8” by the owner or driver of a vehicle recently involved in a traffic altercation, as seen in a viral video circulating online,” Velasco said.

The 8 car plate is assigned to current members of the House of Representatives.

“From watching the viral video, it would seem that the protocol plate is fake. It does not seem to have the security features of an original '8' protocol plate. Our law enforcement agencies can easily identify fake plates and confiscate them,” he added.

Velasco also called on the appropriate authorities to conduct an investigation and punish the individual involved.

“Using a fake special plate number, if that is indeed the case, is illegal and constitutes a punishable offense under existing laws. It is a serious matter that undermines the integrity of official markings and erodes public trust,” Velasco stressed.

He also called on the public to report similar incidents to the authorities.

House Assistant Majority Leader and Tingong Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, meanwhile, called on the concerned government agencies and the secretariat of the House of Representatives to impose stricter regulations on the use of protocol plates.

“Sana ay paigtingin pa natin ang mga polisiya at alituntunin sa paggamit at pag-issue ng protocol plates (Let's intensify our policies and guidelines on the use and issuance of protocol plates),” Acidre said.—With Llanesca Panti/LDF, GMA Integrated News