Challenging the VIP mindset

Several days ago, a road altercation in Quezon City made headlines and was also the subject of the Philippine STAR editorial. A video footage showed a driver of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) in a heated argument with a multicab driver.

- JOE ZALDARRIAGA

The SUV driver emphasized he was driving a VIP, who turned out to be Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for special concerns Ricky Alfonso.

According to news accounts, the SUV was equipped with sirens, blinkers, and a protocol plate No. 10. This specific plate designation is reserved exclusively for justices of the Court of Appeals, the Court of Tax Appeals, the Sandiganbayan, and the Solicitor General based on regulations of the Land Transportation Authority (LTO). Alfonso, however, holds none of these positions.

During the confrontation, the SUV driver allegedly punched the multicab driver and claimed that cutting off a VIP vehicle like theirs was dangerouseven suggesting the other driver could have been shot.

The incident exposed a critical loophole in the use of protocol plates. While Alfonso was authorized to use one, the SUV involved was not officially registered for it. Despite being summoned by the LTO, Alfonso failed to appear. In response, LTO chief Markus Lacanilao recommended the revocation of the driver’s license and the impounding of the vehicle.