Gatchalian on SUV traffic violation issue: Leave it to the LTO

The driver of a sports utility vehicle bearing protocol plate number 7 allegedly attempted to run over an enforcer on Sunday evening. (Screengrab / DOTr)

MANILA, Philippines – “Let’s leave it to the LTO,” Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said as he opted not to comment on the now-viral white sports utility vehicle (SUV) being linked to his family.

The driver of the vehicle with a 7 protocol license plate allegedly tried to run over a lady traffic enforcer after he was accosted for using the Edsa bus lane in Guadalupe, Makati City.

In an ambush interview, Gatchalian said that the representative of Orient Pacific Corp. had already issued a statement addressing the issue.

“So let’s leave it to the LTO to decide what to do about it,” Gatchalian said in Filipino.

He was asked to confirm whether it was a member of his family — whether his brother or his father — who was using the vehicle at the time of the incident, but Gatchalian did not confirm it.

“LTO already has the documents, so let’s leave it to the LTO. As far as I know, they are already investigating,” he said.

Sen. Raffy Tulfo earlier confirmed that the VIP passenger aboard the white SUV is related to a senator. 

In a press conference, Tulfo was asked whether or not circulating reports that the vehicle was listed under the names of William and Kenneth Gatchalian — father and brother of Sen. Gatchalian — are legitimate.

“The owner of the vehicle is the Orient Pacific Corp. whose board members include those mentioned,” Tulfo said.