LTO impounds 2 buses supposedly linked to Chavit Singson

Two buses allegedly connected to former lawmaker Chavit Singson were seized by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for alleged infractions, according to an announcement made by the agency on Tuesday. The impoundment occurred following an inspection of the vehicles, which were observed traveling toward Liwasang Bonifacio on Sunday, July 19. During the inspection, officials noted that the buses were equipped with unauthorized license plates and had undergone illegal modifications, including a change in color. The LTO stated that the buses were intercepted while en route to Liwasang Bonifacio, where a public gathering organized by the United People’s Initiative took place on the same day. Upon examination, the agency determined that the vehicles lacked proper registration and featured improperly installed license plates. One of the buses was found to have altered its exterior color, further violating transportation regulations. In its official statement, the LTO did not explicitly identify Chavit Singson as the owner of the impounded buses. However, photographs released alongside the press release displayed images of the vehicles with Singson's face prominently visible. This suggests a possible association between the buses and the political figure, though no direct claim of ownership was made. LTO Chairperson Markus Lacanilao emphasized that the agency investigates all vehicles for compliance with legal standards, irrespective of their operators or owners. “We are not looking after the vehicle operator or owner. What we look after is if they are obeying the laws,” he stated. He reiterated that the enforcement of traffic regulations applies equally to everyone, and violators will face appropriate consequences. Lacanilao also urged vehicle operators and owners to adhere strictly to legal requirements, particularly regarding vehicle registration and the use of authorized license plates. The LTO highlighted ongoing efforts to combat unlawful modifications and unauthorized registrations through regular inspections and enforcement actions. The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that attempts to obtain a comment from Chavit Singson’s representatives have not yet yielded a response. As of the latest update, there has been no official statement from Singson’s side regarding the incident or the implications of the LTO’s action. This incident aligns with broader LTO initiatives aimed at cracking down on unregistered vehicles and unauthorized modifications. Earlier this week, the LTO conducted a five-day operation targeting vehicles with illegal color changes, resulting in the seizure of 21 vehicles. These operations underscore the agency’s commitment to maintaining road safety and enforcing transportation laws consistently. The continued focus on unregistered and modified vehicles reflects growing concerns over the impact of such practices on public safety and regulatory integrity. With increasing reports of similar incidents, the LTO’s actions signal a heightened enforcement stance against non-compliance. The outcome of this case, and any potential legal proceedings, will likely depend on further investigations and clarifications from both the LTO and the involved parties.