SUV owner of viral ‘7’ plate number revealed; proprietor is not a senator

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

MANILA, Philippines — The identity of the driver and registered owner of the supposed protocol vehicle plate reserved for senators has been known on Wednesday.

The owner of the plate is not a senator but a company named Orient Pacific Corporation, according to its director Omar Guinomla.

“The company sincerely apologizes for what happened,” Guinomla said.

However, this begs the question of how the company was able to obtain and possess such a special plate.

When asked about this, Guinomla said: “Right now, we are conducting an investigation as to how that happened. We will cooperate with the investigation. We will make a formal statement once we have finalized that investigation.”

The driver was also identified as Angelito Edpan, 52, who has been a company driver of Orient Pacific Corporation for almost two years.

In a now-viral video, the SUV driven by Edpan was seen moving in reverse as it tried to get out of the Edsa lane exclusively allotted for passenger buses, ambulances and specific government vehicles.

Before his escape, he allegedly almost ran over a traffic enforcer who had flagged it down for using the bus lane on the northbound side of Edsa in Makati City on Sunday.

“I am asking for forgiveness for my mistake. I did not want to hurt the enforcer who apprehended me,” the driver claimed.