Owner of SUV in Mandaluyong hit-and-run not a House member, says SecGen

The registered owner of the SUV involved in a recent fatal hit-and-run incident in Mandaluyong City is not a member of the lower chamber, said House of Representatives Secretary General Cheloy Garafil on Sunday.

“Batay sa ginawang beripikasyon sa mga rekord ng Land Transportation Office, ang nakarehistrong may-ari nito ay hindi miyembro ng Kamara. Wala ring rekord na nabigyan ang naturang sasakyan ng vehicle pass sa ika-19 at ika-20 Kongreso,” said Garafil in a statement.

(Based on the verification conducted with the records of the Land Transportation Office, its registered
owner is not a member of the House. There is also no record that the said vehicle was issued a vehicle pass for the 19th and 20th Congress.)

A person riding as a passenger on a motorcycle was killed in the incident.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) earlier issued a show-cause order to the registered owner and driver of the SUV for possible charges of tampering of authorized motor vehicle license plates, reckless driving, and improper person to operate a motor vehicle. The incident was caught on camera and a sticker of the House of Representatives covered the conduction sticker of the said vehicle.

The LTO also suspended the license of the driver for 90 days and the vehicle was placed under alarm.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives extended its condolences to the victim and said the investigation is ongoing.

“Lubos na nakikiramay ang Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan sa pamilya ng biktimang nasawi sa malagim na aksidente na kinasasangkutan ng isang Toyota Land Cruiser na may nakakabit umanong sticker ng Kamara. Kaisa po kami sa kanilang pagdadalamhati sa napakahirap na panahong ito,” said Garafil.

(The House of Representatives extends its deepest condolences to the family of the victim who died
in the tragic accident involving a Toyota Land Cruiser that reportedly had a House sticker attached. We stand with them in their grief during this very difficult time.)

“Patuloy na iniimbestigahan ng mga kinauukulang awtoridad ang insidente upang ganap na mabigyang-linaw ang mga pangyayari,” she added.

(The concerned authorities are continuing to investigate the incident to shed full light on the events.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA News