Palace: Only true emergencies justify EDSA bus lane use

Malacañang warned government officials against ‘abusing’ the use of the EDSA Busway and clarified that emergency meetings do not qualify for busway exemptions.

Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasized during a briefing that only true emergencies, such as medical or fire incidents, can justify using the EDSA bus lane, while Marbil’s convoy was stopped and ticketed for misuse on February 25.

Castro stressed that government vehicles must prove an actual emergency to use the busway, not just declare it an emergency meeting.

The incident involving PNP Chief General Rommel Marbil prompted questions about the rules, with Remulla clarifying he did not instruct Marbil to break traffic laws for their urgent meeting.

Authorities are considering heavier penalties for violators, especially public servants who abuse EDSA Busway exemptions.