By el Amigo
MANILA, Philippines — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Romando Artes said Thursday that General Manager Nicolas Torre has acknowledged ownership of the vehicle caught on video using the EDSA Busway.
Artes said he could not confirm whether Torre was aboard the vehicle when it entered the restricted lane.
“I think may admission naman po si GM Torre na kanya po yung sasakyan na navideohan na dumaan po sa busway. I cannot confirm kung sakay siya at that time,” Artes said during a press briefing.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a show-cause order after the vehicle was found carrying a license plate that appeared to be registered to the MMDA.
Artes said Torre had already surrendered the vehicle in compliance with the order and would be allowed to explain the incident.
The MMDA chief said the agency would leave the matter to the LTO, which is investigating to determine what happened.
The LTO earlier said Torre had voluntarily surrendered an MMDA patrol vehicle after it was caught traveling along the EDSA Busway while using a plate registered to another vehicle.
The vehicle remains under LTO custody while the investigation continues.
Artes said the probe would not affect Torre’s duties at the MMDA because no suspension order had been issued against him.
ia/xf
