A vehicle carrying Quezon City Second District Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo was caught illegally using the EDSA busway, Senator Raffy Tulfo confirmed on Tuesday.
“I asked Ralph about the incident, and without beating around the bush, he admitted it and sincerely apologized to me. I told him never to let it happen again and that he needs to apologize to the public,” he said.
Rep. Tulfo’s vehicle was apprehended on January 23, 2025, for entering the EDSA Carousel lane, which is restricted to buses, emergency vehicles, and select high-ranking officials.
These officials include the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Senator Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Services, defended his son by emphasizing that he did not attempt to flee or misuse special privileges such as “Protocol Plate No. 8,” which is reserved for lawmakers.
“He admitted it and apologized, so I don’t see any problem with that,” the senator told reporters.
He clarified that it appeared to be a decision made by Rep. Tulfo’s driver due to time constraints.
“As far as I know, the ticket has been paid, and the driver attended a seminar. The good thing about it is that he didn’t lie; he admitted it right away, apologized, and showed humility,” he said.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) enforces strict rules on the EDSA busway to prioritize public transport and reduce traffic congestion in Metro Manila.
Violators face fines of up to ₱1,000 for unauthorized use of the lane, according to MMDA guidelines.
This is not the first time Rep. Tulfo’s vehicle has been flagged for using the busway. The Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) revealed that the same driver was previously caught in September 2024 for a similar violation.
