Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday, November 7 said he does not condone traffic violations even if this is committed by a person linked to the company of a relative.
“I do not condone the traffic violations committed by the management of Orient Pacific Corporation. As a public servant for 23 years, I have always adhered to following the rules and the laws of our land,” Gatchalian said in a statement.
“Susunod tayo sa batas sa lahat ng pagkakataon. Ito ang ating prinsipyo bilang isang lingkod-bayan sa loob ng mahabang panahon (We will abide by the law at all times. This has been our principle as a public servant for a long time),” the senator stressed.
“The issue is now with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and it is the agency’s responsibility to resolve the matter accordingly,” he stressed.
Gatchalian is referring to the investigation of the LTO on the white sports utility vehicle (SUV) with protocol plate number "7" that illegally used the EDSA bus lane.
Authorities earlier identified the driver as Angelito Edpan, 52 and an employee of Orient Pacific Corporation which owns the SUV.
The senator’s brother, Kenneth Gatchalian, is reported to be the president of Orient Pacific Corporation.
In an earlier interview, Gatchalian said it is up to the LTO to decide on the case at hand.
“Kahapon nanood ako ng news, nakita ko 'yung representative ng company may statement na tapos nakita ko rin na nagbayad na ng fine, so iwan na lang natin sa LTO kung ano 'yung kanilang desisyon at 'yung kanilang gagawin (I watched the news yesterday and I saw that that a representative of the company has issued a statement, I and I also heard that a fine has been paid, so let’s just leave it to the LTO on what they will do and what their decision is)," Gatchalian said in an ambush interview.
“Andun na sa LTO 'yung mga documents so iwan na lang natin sa LTO (The documents are with the LTO so let’s leave it to the LTO),” the senator added when asked if the SUV was indeed owned by his brother.
“Mahirap namang magcomment habang nag-iimbestiga sila. The LTO naman ay on (It’s hard to comment while they are still investigating. The LTO is on) top of the situation,” he added.
The protocol plate “7” is only issued to senators.