Palace: Emergency meetings don't justify EDSA Busway use

Malacañang clarified that "emergency meetings" do not justify the use of the EDSA Busway by government officials, emphasizing that only genuine emergencies warrant such use.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro stated that the Palace will not tolerate abusive behavior from public servants and reminded officials to leave earlier for important meetings.

This clarification followed an incident where a Philippine National Police (PNP) convoy, including PNP chief General Rommel Marbil, was apprehended for using the northbound lane of the EDSA Busway on February 25.

General Marbil had initially defended the convoy's use of the busway as an emergency, citing the need to attend an alleged 'emergency meeting' while also searching for a kidnapped Chinese national.

However, the Palace reiterated that an emergency meeting itself does not qualify as an emergency, and vehicles like those of the PNP are not exempted under such circumstances unless it's a true emergency.

Only emergency vehicles like ambulances, fire trucks, and PNP vehicles responding to proven emergencies are permitted on the busway.