Gatchalian mum on protocol plate issue, says LTO already investigating

(UPDATE) Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has declined to comment on the SUV bearing the protocol plate “7” which is being linked to his family.

The said SUV was caught illegally using the EDSA busway on November 3.

According to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) the vehicle is registered under the Orient Pacific Corporation.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) documents show officials of the Orient Pacific Corporation are William Gatchalian and Kenneth Gatchalian, the father and brother of the senator, respectively. 

Tulfo eyes probe into EDSA Busway incident involving SUV with 'fake' protocol plate

“Kahapon nanood ako ng news at nakita ko na ang rep ng company may statement na tapos nakita ko nagbayad na rin ng fine so iwan na lang natin sa LTO kung ano ang desisyon kung ano ang kanilang gagawin,” Gatchalian said in a chance interview on Thursday.

Asked if he has talked with his father and brother regarding the issue and if the plate belongs to him, Gatchalian said, “Iwan na lang natin sa LTO, andun na sa LTO, mahirap naman mag-comment habang nag-iimbestiga sila. And the LTO naman is on top of this situation.”

As to whether protocol plates of senators should be reduced, Gatchalian said he is leaving it to Senate President Francis Escudero to decide.

“I think si SP will know the best,” Gatchalian stated.

Meanwhile, Senator Joel Villanueva has no qualms with the scrapping of protocol plates for VIPs.

"I have no problems with that, " Villanueva told reporters.
Villanueva, however, earlier said there may be times when the protocol plates are necessary. 

Dela Rosa denies owning SUV with '7' plate that used EDSA Busway

"Siguro there are times. There are times na may pangangailangan. Pag SONA pag may mga important events na na na kailangan ng assistance but yung everyday hindi naman siguro I'm more than willing to let go of it," Villanueva said.

He said he uses a protocol plate but he has been responsible and he does not allow anyone else to use it.

"Basta hindi... Again, for the record, I never or ever will allow any of my family, relatives, wife, isa lang wife ko, anak, whatsoever," Villanueva said.

"Mahigpit kami diyan. Mahigpit kami diyan. So much responsibility sa paggamit.  I don't think, I don't believe na pwede. That's what I believe. Kahit na sabihin mong pwede, sabihin ng LTO or whoever pwede.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), meanwhile, vowed to help in the investigation regarding the SUV with protocol plate “7” that illegally passed through the EDSA busway on November 3.

According to MMDA Chair Romando Artes they will trace the vehicle’s route.
“‘Yung request ni Senator Raffy (Tulfo) ite-trace namin kung saan nanggaling ‘yung vehicle at kung saan pumunta at kung totoo po ‘yung nakarating sa kanya na after ma-apprehend ay bumalik pa sa bus carousel uli pagkalagpas sa pinangyarihan ng pagkakahuli. Ite-trace namin yan at ipo-provide ang footage,” Artes said.  

He also belied allegations that it took MMDA a while before giving CCTV footage of the incident.

“Nag-request po officially ang SAICT (Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation) ng copy November 4….same day po on November 4 pina-receive po namin, a certain Mr. Cabanban.,” Artes said.

He added that the MMDA was able to provide the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Tulfo’s office with a copy of the footage within minutes after this was requested.

“Wala naman po kaming pinagtatakpan,” Artes assured.

He clarified that they have already pulled out from managing the bus carousel since June 13 of this year and turned it over to the DOTr-SAICT.  

Tulfo, meanwhile, once again called on the person involved in the incident to already surface.

“Lumutang na siya aminin na niya. Manghingi siya ng pasensiya. Kilala mo kung sino ka balita ko nga minura niyo pa nga raw yung taga-SAICT eh. Kayo na nga nag-violate pinagmumura daw. Matapang,” he said.