LTO checks report that protocol plate '8' are being sold

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Office on Wednesday said that it was trying to verify reports that number “8" protocol plates are being sold for P200,000. This was revealed by Transportation and Communication Assistant Secretary and LTO chief Alberto Suansing, who said he got the information from a congressman. “I asked the lawmaker if it’s true that some congressmen are giving away protocol plates issued to them, he told me that some even sell it," Suansing said. Number "8" car plates are assigned to members of the House of Representatives. On Sunday, a Nissan SUV bearing number "8" plates rammed and killed a security guard while injuring a companion. Earlier reports said the Nissan was registered under the name of Sharon Faye Bautista of 18 Agustin St., Barangay Bungad, San Francisco del Monte Avenue, Quezon City. Sharon Faye is the wife of Jason Bautista and reportedly the daughter of a Metro Manila congressman. Suansing said he had ordered the LTO-Intelligence and Investigation Division (LTO-IID) to summon Sharon Faye to ask her how she was able to acquire the "8" car plate, a privilege given to House members. For his part, House speaker Prospero Nograles earlier said that he wanted to conduct an inventory of Number “8" car plates. At the same time Nograles also reminded House members that only congressmen are allowed to use the protocol plates issued to them. A congressman is issued four sets of protocol plates which must be installed at the front and rear part of their vehicle. Because of the notion that protocol plates are “exempted" from traffic laws some unscrupulous individuals even manufacture fake plates and sell it. Suansing, for his part maintained that although there is no law that says that vehicles with protocol plates are exempted from traffic rules, the problem is that enforcers are easily intimidated by the plate. “Any enforcer will think twice before he or she flags down a vehicle bearing protocol plates, and most of the time the drivers of these plates don’t even bother to stop when being asked," the LTO official added. - GMANews.TV