House: '8' plate used in viral video is fake

The driver involved in a recent traffic altercation going viral online using plate number “8,” a protocol plate for congressmen, is not a member of the House of Representatives, an official said Friday.

House Secretary Reginald Velasco asserted that the SUV bearing the protocol plate is obviously fake “as seen in the video.”

“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 now-viral video captures a visibly enraged male driver of a Mitsubishi Montero cursing another motorist aboard a red CR-V, queued behind him in the drive-thru of a fast-food restaurant.

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

Raising concerns about the plate’s authenticity, Velasco called on authorities to swiftly launch an investigation into the road rage, with the House assuring full cooperation to ensure that those who unauthorizedly use it will face legal consequences.

“Using a fake special plate number, 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.”

The protocol plates, or low-numbered plates, are only designated for top officials in the Philippines by virtue of Executive Order 287, with plate number 8 solely intended for members of the House of Representatives.

The use of the same has earned notoriety in recent years, with some politicians exploiting it as a means to breach the law.

According to Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre, Speaker Martin Romualdez has discouraged the use of special “8” plates and called on previous members of Congress to surrender the same. He also made it clear that no such plates have been issued in the 19th Congress.

“Personally, I don’t use protocol plates but we have colleagues who find their work easier because they use protocol plates," Acidre told reporters in a virtual presser Friday.

The lawmaker called on the House secretariat and other concerned government agencies to work closely to keep an eye on the illegal use of such plates, highlighting their widespread availability in online shopping platforms.

He also underscored the need to strengthen the policies and guidelines on the use and issuance of protocol plates.

Nonetheless, Velasco said they will not tolerate unauthorized and illegal use of the “8” plate, urging the public to report similar incidents.