Security perform simulation exercises at the House of Representatives north gate entrance in Batasan, Quezon City on July 20, 2023 a few days before the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Joan Bondoc, PNA photos/File. 

MANILA (UPDATED) — The '8' protocol plate on SUV involved in an altercation caught on video is likely fake, according to House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, who said the chamber "condemns the misuse" of the plate.

The video, which has gone viral on Facebook, shows the driver of an SUV with an '8' plate cursing at and threatening to shoot another motorist parked at a fast food restaurant.

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The SUV driver also yanked off the handle of the driver's side door of the parked car.

"From watching the viral video, it would seem that the protocol plate is fake. 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 consficate them," Velasco said.

Protocol plates, first issued by order of then President Carlos P. Garcia in 1958, are meant to make it easier to identify vehicles used by or assigned to government officials. 

They have also been used for special treatment and to get away with bad behavior on the road, which occasionally sparks discussion on scrapping protocol plates altogether. 

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"We urge the appropriate authorities to immediately investigate and hold accountable the individual in the video," Velasco said Friday.

"Using a fake special plate number, it 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."

The House secretary general urged the public to report similar incidents, while reaffirming the lower chamber's commitment to cooperate with authorities "to ensure that those who misuse government-issued protocol plates face the full force of the law."  

Velasco last year said the lower house has not authorized the use of '8' protocol plates.

He added the House has an agreement with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to apprehend drivers using '8' plates and to confiscate them.

House leadership had also asked members to surrender their protocol plates to Velasco's office. 

Velasco explained then that he wants spurious, expired and fake protocol plates confiscated before new ones would be issued.

BETTER POLICIES ON PROTOCOL PLATES NEEDED

House Assistant Majority Leader Jude Acidre of Tingog party-list called on the House Secretariat and concerned government agencies to strengthen policies and regulations on the use of protocol plates.

He claimed that replica protocol plates could even be bought online.

"I think ang mahalaga lang ho talaga ay maalala ng ating mga kasama — at hindi lang ho kami, kasi marami rin pong public officials na entitled to use the protocol plates, eh gamitin ho natin ito ng tama," he also said in an online press briefing.

(I think what is important is for our colleagues — and not just at the House, because there are many other public officials entitled to use the protocol plates — to use them responsibly)

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