QUEZON CITY–Not even Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista could escape the hands of the law.

On New Year’s Eve, Bautista was apprehended by a traffic enforcer from the city’s department of public order and safety apparently for beating the red light while cruising along Tomas Morato Avenue corner Kamuning Road.

Bautista, popularly known in show business as Bistek, was driving a privately-owned SUV without any security detail when flagged down by traffic enforcer Sol Botilla, who at that time was helping some children cross a street along Kamuning Road.

Botilla, a traffic enforcer for nearly 10 years, failed to recognize the Mayor who was always looking at his right side.

“Ang alam ko lang mukha siyang Intsik,” the 47-year old Botilla said.

Twice did Botilla ask for the mayor’s driver’s license. However, it was not until the man behind the wheels spoke and acknowledged his violation that the traffic enforcer finally realized that he had actually apprehended the Mayor.

“Nakakahiya nga po dahil humingi pa sa akin ng pasensiya si Mayor dahil sa abala,” Botilla said.

After the incident, Bautista told the traffic aide to personally report to his office the following day. But Botilla did not go to the Mayor’s office because he was afraid of the repercussions it might cause him.

During the year’s first Monday flag-raising, Bautista cited Botilla for his exemplary achievement and rewarded him with a P10,000 financial assistance and a spot promotion.

Already, the city’s department of public order and safety, headed by Ret. Police Chief Superintendent Elmo San Diego, is facilitating Botilla’s promotion for a supervisory position.

Botilla said he will use the cash reward for the tuition of his children.