TV crew cab covering Noy gets traffic ticket

MANILA, Philippines - A driver of a media vehicle was flagged down by a traffic enforcer of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for going counter-flow while tailing the convoy of President Aquino near the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City yesterday.

Adrian Bulatao, driver of TV-5, was driving the television network’s red Toyota Hi-lux pick-up (NIX-549) and was reportedly tailing the President’s vehicle at 12:05 p.m. when he allegedly made the counter-flow on Vito Cruz Street.

According to the MMDA Metrobase, Aquino ordered a member of the Presidential Security Group to alert traffic enforcer Jonathan Caro about the incident.

Caro immediately accosted Bulatao and issued him a traffic violation receipt. His driver’s license was also confiscated.

The MMDA said Bulatao was made to a pay a fine of P2,000 and will undergo a driver’s seminar before his license is returned.

Reports said Bulatao was accompanied by a cameraman when the incident happened.

“The reporter was not inside the vehicle when it happened. Two other media vehicles counter-flowed but it was only the Channel 5 van that was seen,” a source said.

While the President’s convoy and the other media vehicles stopped at the corner of Roxas Boulevard and Vito Cruz when the traffic light turned red, the TV-5 crew cab went against the flow of traffic on the opposite lane and caught up with the presidential vehicle.

If using “wang-wang’’ or sirens is prohibited, so is driving against the flow of traffic.

Aquino made this clear yesterday in connection with the TV-5 van counterflow incident.

“I think you saw the streamers of (Manila) Mayor (Alfredo) Lim ‘The law applies to all,’” he told Palace reporters later in the afternoon.

When asked if he ordered the apprehension of the driver, the President replied: “Hindi ko na siguro trabaho iyung traffic (Traffic enforcement is no longer my job).”

Mediamen who covered Aquino’s morning engagement at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay recounted that the TV-5 vehicle followed the presidential convoy on its way back to Malacañang.

Aquino was guest of honor at the International Youth Day celebration at the SM Mall of Asia. With Delon Porcalla, Sandy Araneta