Torre to remain in post amid EDSA busway incident probe — MMDA chief Artes 

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Romando Artes on Thursday said MMDA general manager Nicolas Torre III will continue working despite an ongoing investigation into a vehicle allegedly linked to him that was caught using the EDSA Busway.

According to Artes, Torre acknowledged that the vehicle seen in a video traveling along the busway belonged to him.

“I think meron naman pong admission si GM Torre na kanya po yung sasakyan na na-videohan na dumaan po sa busway. So, I cannot confirm kung sakay siya,” Artes said at a press conference.

(I think GM Torre has admitted that the vehicle that was filmed passing through the busway is his. So, I cannot confirm if he was on board.)

Artes said the incident would not affect Torre's continued work at the MMDA.

“I think ito naman pong insidente na ito ay hindi makakaapekto sa patuloy na pagtatrabaho ng GM Torre. So wala naman pong suspension order na lumalabas against him at wala pa naman pong resolution ang investigation. So tuloy-tuloy lang ang kanyang pagtatrabaho,” Artes said.

(I think this incident will not affect GM Torre's continued work. So there is no suspension order issued against him and the investigation has not yet been resolved. So his work will continue.)

Artes also said the MMDA received a show-cause order from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) after the license plate attached to the vehicle appeared to be registered to another MMDA vehicle.

“Naka-receive po kami ng show cause order dahil yung plaka ko na nakakabit sa kotse na na-videohan po na yan ay appeared to be a license plate sa isang sasakyan ng MMDA,” he said.

(We received a show cause order because the license plate attached to the vehicle that was on the video appeared to be a license plate on an MMDA vehicle.)

The LTO earlier said the MMDA patrol vehicle involved in the incident was surrendered by Torre after it was issued a show-cause order for allegedly passing through the EDSA busway and using an incorrect license plate.

GMA News Online has sought comment from Torre about the matter but he has yet to provide a statement as of posting time. — RSJ, GMA News