LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte— Boxing legend and former Senator Manny Pacquiao has dismissed his service driver after the latter evaded authorities when stopped for unauthorized use of the EDSA Busway.

“Hindi niyo makikita ‘yung taong ‘yan sa akin ngayon. Sabi ko, diyan ka na lang. ‘Wag ka na sumama sa amin,” Pacquiao told reporters. (“You won’t see that person with me anymore. I told him to stay there and not come with us.”)

Pacquiao said he also reprimanded his chief of security after being informed of the incident.

“Na-briefing ko na chief security ko na mali ‘yung ginawa nila at pinagalitan ko nang pinagalitan. Pinabalik ko nga agad at pinakuha ‘yung ticket dahil nakakahiya, bakit nila tinakasan,” he said. (“I already briefed and scolded my chief of security. I told him what they did was wrong and reprimanded them repeatedly. I even ordered them to go back and get the ticket because it was embarrassing—why did they flee?”)

He made it clear that he does not condone such actions, stating, “Bawal sa akin ‘yang ganyan.” (“I don’t tolerate that.”)

Pacquiao’s camp later released a statement apologizing for the incident.

The Department of Transportation’s Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) had flagged two vehicles over the weekend for using the EDSA Busway, with their occupants identifying themselves as part of Pacquiao’s security detail.

One of the passengers initially signaled they would stop to speak with the enforcer but instead drove away. The van later returned, and the convoy was issued traffic violation tickets for disregarding traffic signs and the unauthorized use of blinkers.