MANILA — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Nicolas Torre III went on leave Tuesday as scrutiny intensified over his use of the EDSA busway and multiple violations found on the government vehicle involved in the incident.
The MMDA announced that Torre’s leave took effect September 8, a significant turn from the agency’s earlier position that he would remain in his post while the controversy was being investigated.
The agency said it would issue a separate statement regarding the matter.
Torre came under fire after an SUV carrying him was found traveling along the dedicated EDSA busway, which is generally restricted to authorized vehicles.
He later posted a video on Facebook showing the SUV using the bus lane and explained that it was an official MMDA patrol vehicle being used to inspect traffic conditions.
Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said Torre acknowledged that he was inside the vehicle during the incident but maintained that another person was driving.
The controversy widened after the LTO impounded the SUV and discovered several other violations beyond the unauthorized use of the EDSA busway.
Authorities cited tampering with the vehicle’s license plate, unauthorized stickers and markings, and modifications that included the installation of blinkers.
The LTO also discovered that the red government license plate mounted on the SUV actually belonged to an MMDA truck listed in the agency’s inventory.
The SUV’s original license plates were reportedly restored only before the vehicle was surrendered to the LTO.
Torre subsequently paid P14,000 in fines for the violations cited by the LTO.
The MMDA had initially maintained that Torre would continue performing his duties while the incident was under investigation.
His decision to take leave now puts the controversy squarely under greater scrutiny as the MMDA prepares to release its official statement on the incident./PN
