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SUV with senate protocol ‘7’ plate linked to Gatchalians
By J.Lo
“I want to assure Filipino people that appropriate sanctions will be meted out to those who violate law, regardless of who is violator… law is law,” Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Vigor Mendoza said luxury vehicle bearing Senate protocol plate “7” was flagged down along EDSA bus lane is vehicle registered with Gatchalians.
LTO records show that white Cadillac Escalade is owned by Orient Pacific Corp., being managed by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian’s father, William, and his brother Kenneth.
LTO did not disclose individual owner of the sport utility vehicle.
Two Orient Pacific firms appear in Securities and Exchange Commission records and both owned by William, so-called plastics king.
Company’s director, Omar Guinomla, also said vehicle is registered under the corporation.
Vehicle’s driver Angelo Edpan and Guinomla surrendered to LTO and apologized.
LTO has already issued traffic violation ticket to Edpan. His driver’s license has also been confiscated.
Mendoza said they will issue show cause order to further investigate possible administrative liabilities against owner and driver.
On company’s part, Guinomla said they will be investigating why fake protocol plate was used by their company vehicle.
Meanwhile, Sen. Raffy Tulfo vowed to investigate illegal use of Senate protocol plate on luxury vehicle allegedly ferrying Sherwin’s father.
Tulfo said he, as Senate public services committee chairman, wanted to investigate unauthorized use of protocol plate, LTO initially ruled out as fake.
“To the passenger: if I were you, just admit your fault, surrender your driver and apologize to public…because what is happening is all of 24 senators are getting blame even though we are not involved,” Tulfo said at a press briefing in Senate.
Tulfo confirmed Cadillac was instead carrying senator’s relative who had arrived from Japan.
Senator’s relative was on his way to casino in Quezon City when Cadillac was flagged by Department of Transportation’s Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation for using EDSA northbound bus lane near Guadalupe MRT station.
“My intelligence source tells me they are on their way to Solaire North, Quezon City… security is said to be former Armed Forces of the Philippines member…we will coordinate with AFP to identify VIP,” Tulfo said.
Pressed to confirm identity of senator’s kin, Tulfo said vehicle was carrying relative of his colleague, Sherwin.
Vehicle’s passenger was seen on surveillance camera rolling down window to record video with his phone of apprehending traffic enforcers. Netizens allege passenger was William, as they noted uncanny resemblance of top half of passenger’s face to him.
Sherwin’s name was dragged in the controversy after netizens dug up news story that his father is allegedly using Senate protocol plate to ply EDSA bus lane as early as 2023.
However, Tulfo stopped short of confirming if it was indeed William, citing data privacy.
“I was dared by netizens on my Facebook page to name the passenger… I promise not to spare anyone,” he said.
Senator’s father has denied he was the passenger of flagged luxury vehicle.
“This is not accurate, pure tsismis… owner and driver asked for apologies already and paid fine to rightful government agency, LTO,” William said in a text message.
Sherwin told reporters he does not own white Cadillac Escalade vehicle.
ISKUP! 