DOTr usec a no-show at LTO in wake of driver's road altercation with motorist

Transportation Undersecretary Ricky Alfonso did not appear before the Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Monday after he was summoned in connection with a road altercation involving his driver.

According to Oscar Oida’s Monday report on “24 Oras,” only the driver attended the LTO hearing.

LTO chief Markus Lacanilao recommended the revocation of the license of Alfonso's driver and the impounding of the vehicle.

However, when the vehicle was surrendered to the LTO, the Number 10 license plate and the blinkers were no longer attached, even though it was still on the vehicle at the time of the incident.

Lacanilao expressed disappointment since he expected the license plate and blinker would still be on the vehicle upon its surrender.

“Kaya parang may lokohan eh. Meron silang blinker. Considering na private company, eh hindi naman ito basta nilagay. Talagang sadyang nilagay ito. Kita naman natin sa video, hanggang doon sa likod, meron,” Lacanilao said.

(They seem to be trying to pull a fast one. They had a blinker. It is not placed by accident, considering it’s a private company. It was clearly installed on purpose. As we saw in the video, it even had lights all the way to the back.)

The LTO also wanted to find out how Alfonso acquired the Number 10 license plate, which is only for the judges of the Court of Appeals and the Solicitor General.

LTO also found that Alfonso is not the owner of the vehicle.

"Dahil siya yung may dala ng sasakyan pero siyempre sa level ng aming power, yung sasakyan at driver lang kasi yun lang naman ng LTO. Pero siyempre kailangan din magpaliwanag sa amin kasi nakakonect lahat eh,” Lacanilao said.

(Since he was the one driving the vehicle, he’s accountable. But of course, given the limits of our authority, we’re only handling the vehicle and the driver. Still, he also needs to explain himself to us, because everything is connected.)

GMA Integrated News has reached out to Alfonso for comment.

According to DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez, Alfonso filed an indefinite leave of absence while the investigation is pending.

'VIP kami'

Lopez told Alfonso to explain after the driver allegedly punched and slapped another motorist in a road altercation.

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.

(We're driving for a VIP... What if we shot him? What you did was dangerous.)

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

(Why did he hurt me? He punched me. Take a video.)

Protocol plates

Lopez also said he is expecting Alfonso’s explanation after DOTr filed a notice to explain against the latter, as the administrative case is ongoing.

The DOTr ordered the revocation of all protocol or low-numbered license plates issued to DOTr officials and its attached agencies.

“Alam naman po natin na yung paggamit ng protocol plates, wang-wang o blinkers, naaabuso abuso sa mga kapangyarihan yung ibang nasa gobyerno. At gusto lang po namin imparating that under my watch po, ang DOTR family kasama ang attached agencies, sectoral offices, wala pong VIP sa amin. At hindi po kami papayag na may abusado na VIP ang turing sa isang tahong gobyerno,” Lopez said.

(We all know that the use of protocol plates, sirens, or blinkers is often abused by some people in government. Under my leadership, the DOTr family, including all attached agencies and sectoral offices, does not recognize VIP treatment. We will not tolerate any government official acting like an entitled VIP and abusing their position.) –NB, GMA Integrated News