Cheyenne Suarez

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

Article (news)

Paige Javier

Jonathan Frederic De Santos

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1743750546807house-of-respresentative.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Security perform simulation exercises at the House of Representatives north gate entrance in Batasan, Quezon City on July 20, 2023 a few days before the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Joan Bondoc, PNA photos/File. "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Security perform simulation exercises at the House of Representatives north gate entrance in Batasan, Quezon City on July 20, 2023 a few days before the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Joan Bondoc, PNA photos/File. </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATED)</strong> — The &#x27;8&#x27; protocol plate on SUV involved in an altercation caught on video is likely fake, according to House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, who said the chamber &quot;condemns the misuse&quot; of the plate.</p><p>The video, which has gone viral on Facebook, shows the driver of an SUV with an &#x27;8&#x27; plate cursing at and threatening to shoot another motorist parked at a fast food restaurant.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/11/new-rules-fewer-protocol-plates-sirens-and-blinkers-banned-1211">New rules: Fewer protocol plates, sirens and blinkers banned<br/></a></div><p>The SUV driver also yanked off the handle of the driver&#x27;s side door of the parked car.</p><p>&quot;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 &#x27;8&#x27; protocol plate. Our law enforcement agencies can easily identify fake plates and consficate them,&quot; Velasco said.</p><p>Protocol plates, first issued by order of then President Carlos P. Garcia in 1958, are meant to make it easier to identify vehicles used by or assigned to government officials. </p><p>They have also been used for special treatment and to get away with <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/12/chiz-admits-abuse-of-protocol-plate-after-viral-traffic-apprehension-1047">bad behavior on the road</a>, which occasionally sparks discussion on scrapping protocol plates altogether. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/10/wrap-suv-on-edsa-busway-stirs-up-resentment-over-special-treatment-1654">WRAP: SUV on EDSA Busway stirs up resentment over special treatment<br/></a></div><p>&quot;We urge the appropriate authorities to immediately investigate and hold accountable the individual in the video,&quot; Velasco said Friday.</p><p>&quot;Using a fake special plate number, it 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.&quot;</p><p>The House secretary general urged the public to report similar incidents, while reaffirming the lower chamber&#x27;s commitment to cooperate with authorities &quot;to ensure that those who misuse government-issued protocol plates face the full force of the law.&quot;  </p><p>Velasco last year said the lower house has not authorized the use of &#x27;8&#x27; protocol plates.</p><p>He added the House has an agreement with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to apprehend drivers using &#x27;8&#x27; plates and to confiscate them.</p><p>House leadership had also asked members to surrender their protocol plates to Velasco&#x27;s office. </p><p>Velasco explained then that he wants spurious, expired and fake protocol plates confiscated before new ones would be issued. </p><div><strong>BETTER POLICIES ON PROTOCOL PLATES NEEDED <br/></strong></div><p>House Assistant Majority Leader Jude Acidre of Tingog party-list called on the House Secretariat and concerned government agencies to strengthen policies and regulations on the use of protocol plates.</p><p>He claimed that replica protocol plates could even be bought online.</p><p>&quot;I think ang mahalaga lang ho talaga ay maalala ng ating mga kasama — at hindi lang ho kami, kasi marami rin pong public officials na entitled to use the protocol plates, eh gamitin ho natin ito ng tama,&quot; he also said in an online press briefing.</p><p>(I think what is important is for our colleagues — and not just at the House, because there are many other public officials entitled to use the protocol plates — to use them responsibly)</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VhGEGBqX9CM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>"We urge the appropriate authorities to immediately investigate and hold accountable the individual in the video," House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said Friday.</p>

"We urge the appropriate authorities to immediately investigate and hold accountable the individual in the video," House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said Friday.