SUV in Mandaluyong hit-and-run not registered to a congressman, House exec clarifies
At A Glance
- The House of Representatives extends condolences to the family of the victim in the Mandaluyong City traffic incident involving a Toyota Land Cruiser that allegedly bore a chamber sticker.
- House Secretary-General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil clarifies the SUV is not registered to any House member and has no record of being issued a vehicle pass in the 19th or 20th Congress.
- Authorities continue investigating the incident, with the House pledging transparency, while the 20-year-old driver linked to the hit-and-run has already been arrested.
The House of Representatives, Secretary-General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil (MANILA BULLETIN, Facebook)
The House of Representatives says it "deeply condoles" with the family of the victim who died in the tragic traffic incident involving a Toyota Land Cruiser in Mandaluyong City.
Resorts said that the subject vehicle bore a sticker of the legislative chamber.
"Kaisa po kami sa kanilang pagdadalamhati sa napakahirap na panahong ito (We join them in their grief during this very difficult time)," House Secretary-General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil said in a statement that was relayed to House reporters late Sunday afternoon, July 12.
Garafil clarified that the sports utility vehicle (SUV) wasn't registered to a House member or congressman.
"Batay sa ginawang beripikasyon sa mga rekord ng Land Transportation Office, ang nakarehistrong may-ari nito ay hindi miyembro ng Kamara. Wala ring rekord na nabigyan ang naturang sasakyan ng vehicle pass sa ika-19 at ika-20 Kongreso," she said.
(Based on verification of records from the Land Transportation Office, the registered owner of the vehicle is not a member of the House. There is also no record that the said vehicle was issued a vehicle pass in the 19th and 20th Congress.)
Garafil says concerned authorities continue to investigate the incident to fully clarify the circumstances.
"Nananatiling bukas at tapat ang Kapulungan sa usaping ito. Maglalabas ito ng karagdagang impormasyon sa sandaling may makumpirma pang mahahalagang detalye," added the lawyer.
(The House remains open and transparent on this matter and will release additional information once further important details are confirmed.)
Garafil is the highest-ranked civilian official in the House of Representatives.
Authorities have already arrested the 20-year-old driver linked to the hit-and-run incident, which left a motorcycle passenger dead and injured the rider along Ortigas Avenue in Mandaluyong City.