By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Actor Derek Ramsay has surrendered his supercar to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) as the agency digs deeper into the vehicle’s alleged use of a fake license plate on a public road.
LTO Chairperson Markus Lacanilao said Tuesday that the vehicle was voluntarily turned over to the agency on Monday, along with the license of its designated driver.
Lacanilao said Ramsay and a businessman identified as his friend personally appeared before him and responded to the LTO’s show cause order.
“In good faith naman yung registered owner para maimbestigahang mabuti yung mga pangyayari. Nag-appear sila kahapon sa akin pati yung negosyanteng kaibigan niya. Tumugon sila sa show cause order,” Lacanilao said.
The LTO earlier ordered the registered owner and driver to explain why they should not face administrative sanctions after verification showed that the plate displayed on the vehicle carried a different alphanumeric combination from its original motor vehicle license plate number.
The agency has scheduled them to appear before its Intelligence and Investigation Division on Aug. 24 to submit a verified and sworn explanation.
The driver could also face action against his license, including possible suspension or revocation.
The vehicle remains impounded while investigators determine how a plate allegedly not issued by the LTO ended up attached to the supercar.
Lacanilao said the agency must establish who placed the questioned plate on the vehicle and why it was being used.
“Kailangan makita natin kung bakit nagkaroon ng ibang plaka na hindi galing sa LTO at bakit yun ang nilagay nila,” he said.
The LTO chief added that Ramsay’s vehicle is being subjected to the same impounding procedure applied to other apprehended vehicles while cases are under investigation.
The agency’s earlier statement did not identify Ramsay, but the actor later became publicly linked to the case.
Ramsay addressed the controversy in an Instagram Story last Saturday, maintaining that all of his vehicles have authorized license plates.
He nevertheless apologized to the LTO and acknowledged that using a fake plate is wrong.
The investigation will determine the circumstances behind the questioned plate and whether Ramsay, the designated driver or other individuals may be held administratively liable.
For now, the LTO has not made a final finding of liability against Ramsay.
The supercar stays in government custody as investigators work to answer the central question: How did an allegedly unauthorized plate end up on the vehicle in the first place?
ia/xf
