Driver with fake protocol plate not a House member

The driver of a vehicle bearing an “8” license plate that was involved in a recent traffic altercation is not a congressman, a House of Representatives official said Friday.

House Secretary Reginald Velasco said the protocol plate on the SUV was obviously fake “as seen in the video” that went viral.

“It does not seem to have the security features of an original 8 protocol plate. Our law enforcement agencies can easily identify fake plates and confiscate them,” Velasco said.

The viral video captured a visibly enraged male driver of a Mitsubishi Montero cursing another motorist aboard a red Honda CR-V queued behind him in the drive-thru lane of a fast-food restaurant.

The furious Montero driver threatened to shoot the CR-V driver before he fled the scene.

Raising concerns about the plate’s authenticity, Velasco called on authorities to launch an investigation into the case of road rage.

“Using a fake special plate, if that is indeed the case, is illegal and constitutes a punishable offense under existing laws. It is a serious matter that undermines the integrity of official markings and erodes public trust,” he said.

He added, “Any attempt to impersonate or abuse this privilege is a direct affront to the institution and the law.”

Protocol or low number license plates are designated for top officials of the Philippines by virtue of Executive Order 287, with the number 8 assigned to members of the House of Representatives.

Its use has been abused in recent years, including by politicians who throw their weight around.