Usec told to explain after driver accused of punching motorist in road argument

An undersecretary of the Department of Transportation has been asked to explain after his driver allegedly punched and slapped another motorist in a road altercation.

According to Oscar Oida's report on "24 Oras," a video showed one of the passengers of a luxury SUV saying that they were driving for a VIP and that the other motorist should not have behaved the way he did.

The video of the altercation showed traffic enforcers trying to mediate between the two sides, who accused each other of cutting into the other's path.

"VIP kami, ginanon kami. Eh, kung nabaril namin yan. Delikado ang ginagawa mo pare," one of the passengers of the SUV was heard as saying.

"Bakit nya ako sinaktan? Sinuntok ako eh. Bidyuhan nyo nga yon," the utility vehicle driver said.

The video also caught Transportation Undersecretary Ricky Alfonso talking with the traffic enforcers.

In a news conference, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said he has issued a notice to explain to Alfonso, who said he had already fired his driver.

Lopez said Alfonso asked for forgiveness and told him that he went out of the vehicle to pacify the situation.

GMA Integrated News is trying to get Lopez side on the matter. –Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News