REP. RALPH TULFO APOLOGIZES FOR USING EDSA BUSWAY

SENATOR Raffy Tulfo’s son Quezon City 2nd district Rep. Ralph Tulfo on Tuesday apologized over his illegal use of the EDSA bus lane.

In a statement on Tuesday night, Jan. 28, the young Tulfo acknowledged his violation and vowed to avoid similar incident in the future.

“Lubos po akong humihingi ng paumanhin sa publiko, lalo na sa mga naapektuhan at naabala ng insidente kamakailan kaugnay sa pagdaan ng aking sasakyan sa EDSA bus lane,” said the lawmaker in a social media post.

He clarified that there was no mention of any personality or any position during their apprehension.

“Nais ko lamang pong linawin na WALANG naganap na pagbanggit o paggamit ng pangalan ng sinumang nasa posisyon. WALA rin pong nangyaring anumang pang-aabuso sa awtoridad para makalusot o mapawalang-sala sa insidenteng ito. Sa halip, tinanggap po namin ang tiket at ang aming pagkakamali nang walang pag-aalinlangan,” he explained.

He said they accepted the fine, paid for it and underwent seminar about traffic rules.

Earlier on the day, Sen. Tulfo confirmed that his son was caught illegally using the EDSA busway.

The senator said he scolded his congressman-son for violating traffic rules after his convoy was caught using the EDSA busway.

“Pinagalitan ko at nag-sorry siya sa akin. Ang sabi ko, ‘Mag-apologize ka sa lahat.’ And that’s it,” the senator said during an ambush interview.

The senator said the apprehended SUV was part of his son’s convoy.

“Ang pagkakaalam ko nagmamadali siya. ‘Yung driver niya yata ang pumasok doon sa bus stop. At pinagalitan ko siya, pinagsabihan ko,” he said.

“In-admit naman niya. Hindi naman siya nagsinungaling at nag-apologize siya. So ,wala akong nakikitang problema doon as long as hindi siya tumakas, hindi siya gumamit ng plakang 8, which karapatan niyang gumamit. Pero hindi siya gumamit. It just shows na hindi siya abusado,” the senator added.

The vehicle of Congressman Tulfo was  apprehended on January 23, 2025, for entering the EDSA Carousel lane, which is restricted to buses, emergency vehicles, and select high-ranking officials.

The top officials who are allowed to use the busway lane are the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Also authorized to use  the busway are on-duty ambulances, fire trucks, and Philippine National Police vehicles.

Passing through the EDSA busway which is exclusive for buses and select high-ranking government officials is a violation of Republic Act 4136 also known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.