MANILA — Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena has called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to remove Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Nicolas Torre III from office, accusing him of abusing his position after his vehicle was caught using the restricted EDSA Busway.
The controversy intensified after MMDA chairman Don Artes confirmed Thursday that the vehicle captured on video traveling along the busway belongs to Torre, although authorities have yet to establish whether the MMDA general manager was aboard at the time.
“Meron naman pong admission si GM Torre na kanya po ‘yung sasakyan na na-video-han po sa busway. I cannot confirm kung sakay siya,” Artes said.
Valbuena said the incident raised questions about whether government officials tasked with enforcing traffic regulations are themselves complying with the rules imposed on ordinary motorists.
“Kayo ang nagpapatupad ng batas, kayo ang unang lumalabag. Siga ang dating komo nasa posisyon kayo,” Valbuena said in a video message.
He contrasted the controversy with the treatment of ordinary drivers caught violating restrictions on the EDSA Busway.
“’Yung mga ordinaryong tsuper na naghahanapbuhay nang patas, ’yun ang pinapahirapan ninyo,” he said.
The issue has also expanded beyond the alleged unauthorized use of the busway after questions emerged over the license plate, stickers and MMDA markings displayed on Torre’s vehicle.
Artes said the MMDA received a show-cause order because the plate attached to the vehicle appeared to be an official agency plate.
“Naka-receive po kami ng show cause order dahil ‘yung plaka po na nakakabit sa kotse na na-video-han ay appeared to be licensed plate ng isang sasakyan ng MMDA,” he said.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has taken jurisdiction over the case. Torre voluntarily surrendered the vehicle, which is now under LTO custody while the agency investigates the circumstances surrounding its use of the EDSA Busway and the plate attached to it.
Valbuena also questioned the MMDA stickers and markings on the vehicle and urged Marcos to dismiss Torre over the controversy.
No suspension order has been issued against Torre as the LTO investigation remains ongoing./PN
