Chavit doubles 'reward' for traffic enforcers who accosted him

MANILA, Philippines: Former Ilocos Sur governor Luis «Chavit» Singson has doubled the «reward» to the traffic enforcers who flagged down his two-vehicle convoy that illegally used the EDSA busway.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) accepted the money but said that it will be considered a «donation.»

Former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson chats with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Don Artes at the MMDA headquarters in Pasig City on Monday, April 15, 2024. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE Former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson chats with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Don Artes at the MMDA headquarters in Pasig City on Monday, April 15, 2024. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE Former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson chats with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Don Artes at the MMDA headquarters in Pasig City on Monday, April 15, 2024. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE Former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson chats with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Don Artes at the MMDA headquarters in Pasig City on Monday, April 15, 2024. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE Former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson chats with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Don Artes at the MMDA headquarters in Pasig City on Monday, April 15, 2024. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE Former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson chats with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Don Artes at the MMDA headquarters in Pasig City on Monday, April 15, 2024. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE

MMDA acting chairman Don Artes said there are «no strings attached» since there is «no exception» to the rules on the utilization of the special lane on EDSA.

«Pupunta po 'yan sa general fund ng MMDA. Hindi po 'yan idi-distribute sa particular [na] tao o group. So iko-consider po 'yan na donasyon sa ahensya — not for a specific purpose, but pupunta po sa general fund na kailangan pong i-allocate ng Metro Manila Council bago po pwedeng gastusin (The money will go to the general fund of the MMDA. It will not be distributed to a particular group),» Artes said.

Singson had apologized to the traffic enforcers who accosted his