Batas vs konsiderasyon: Anak ng pasyenteng may stage 4 Cancer, may masakit na rebelasyon sa EDSA
- Riza Valencia shared the emotional story of her mother, a stage 4 cancer patient, who was aboard an ambulance flagged down on EDSA
- The family claimed the ambulance was delayed for over 30 minutes near Santolan while heading to a vital medical check-up
- Valencia expressed disappointment over the strict interpretation of rules that prioritized "emergencies" over terminal patients
- Following the incident, the DOTr dismissed a high-ranking official and clarified that all on-duty ambulances may use the bus lane
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In an exclusive and emotional interview, the daughter of a terminal cancer patient has come forward to recount a distressing ordeal involving traffic enforcers and an ambulance on the EDSA Busway.
Source: Youtube
Riza Valencia, whose mother was battling stage 4 cancer, spoke of the profound impact a roadside apprehension had on her family during what would become her mother's final journey.
The incident unfolded last Monday as the family was traveling from Bulacan to a medical facility in Pasig for a scheduled check-up.
According to Valencia, their ambulance was intercepted by enforcers from the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAIC) near the Santolan area of the EDSA Busway.
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Valencia claims that the vehicle was held for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, the driver reportedly attempted to explain the severity of the patient's condition, but enforcers initially stood their ground.
The enforcers' rationale was that only "emergency cases" are permitted to utilize the dedicated bus lane, excluding scheduled appointments like cancer check-ups.
In her statement, Valencia, who is currently a resident of Australia, expressed her frustration over the lack of situational awareness displayed during the flag-down.
While she acknowledged the importance of traffic regulations, she argued that the frailty of a stage 4 cancer patient should have warranted immediate consideration.
"If I were the one in that ambulance, I could handle being pulled over because I am strong," Valencia remarked.
"But for my mother’s situation, it was different." She noted that the experience left her deeply saddened by the state of public service in her home country.
Valencia described the visible toll the incident took on her mother. While the patient was able to sit up during the trip to the hospital, Valencia observed a significant decline in her mother's condition upon their return home to Bulacan.
She stated that her mother appeared to be under immense stress following the encounter and passed away later that same afternoon.
While the family does not intend to file formal charges, Valencia emphasized that the emotional weight of those final hours is something that cannot be undone.
"The stress they gave my mother before she passed is something that can never be taken back," she said.
Following the viral spread of the incident, the DOTr has taken swift action. Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez issued a memorandum resulting in the dismissal of the head of the SAIC’s special operations group.
The agency further clarified that all on-duty ambulances are permitted to use the EDSA Busway, regardless of whether the case is an emergency or a scheduled medical appointment.
In other news, a man is currently fighting for his life in a hospital following a catastrophic accidental shooting in Antipolo City that left him with a head wound. Local investigators revealed that the incident occurred when two individuals handled a defective revolver, wrongly assuming the chamber was empty before it discharged. While the victim remains under intensive medical care, a 16-year-old minor involved in the case has been transferred to social welfare services for appropriate legal processing. In response to the tragedy, Antipolo police issued a stern reminder for citizens to turn over unlicensed or damaged firearms, emphasizing that guns should never be treated as playthings.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte officially entered the 2028 presidential race during a high-stakes press briefing on February 18, 2026, marking the earliest declaration for the next national cycle. Duterte used the platform to issue a formal apology to the electorate for her 2022 endorsement of President Marcos Jr., explicitly citing a "lack of sincerity" in his current administration. The Vice President unveiled her "Tapang at Malasakit" (Courage and Compassion) agenda, centering her platform on government transparency, household welfare, and national food self-sufficiency. This announcement confirms the total dissolution of the once-dominant ruling alliance, signaling a volatile transition in the Philippine political landscape as the next elections approach.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
