LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte— Boxing legend and former Senator Manny Pacquiao announced on Tuesday that he had relieved his service driver after the latter evaded authorities when flagged for unauthorized use of the EDSA Busway.
“Hindi niyo makikita ‘yung taong ‘yan sa akin ngayon. Sabi ko, diyan ka na lang. ‘Wag ka na sumama sa amin,” Pacquiao told reporters. (“You won’t see that person with me anymore. I told him to stay there and not to come with us.”)
Pacquiao also reprimanded his chief security officer after learning about the incident.
“Na-briefing ko na chief security ko na mali ‘yung ginawa nila at pinagalitan ko nang pinagalitan. Pinabalik ko nga agad at pinakuha ‘yung ticket dahil nakakahiya, bakit nila tinakasan,” he said. (“I already briefed and scolded my chief security. I told him what they did was wrong and reprimanded them repeatedly. I even ordered them to go back and get the ticket because it was embarrassing—why did they run away?”)
He stressed that he does not tolerate such behavior, saying, “Bawal sa akin ‘yang ganyan.” (“I don’t allow that.”)
Pacquiao’s camp later issued an apology for the incident.
The Department of Transportation’s Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) had flagged two vehicles over the weekend for using the EDSA Busway, with their occupants claiming to be part of Pacquiao’s security team.
One of the passengers initially agreed to stop and speak with the traffic enforcer but instead fled the scene. The van eventually returned, and authorities issued the convoy traffic violation tickets for disregarding traffic signs and illegally using blinkers.
