Senator Raffy Tulfo urged the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to suspend the license of a drunk SUV driver who became trending on social media after using the EDSA busway to counterflow in the wee hours of July 28.
During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Services, Tulfo learned that instead of jailing and filing charges against the driver identified as Christopher Lim de Vera, personnel of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) even gave him VIP treatment and escorted him to his condo unit in BGC, Taguig City.
“Instead of jailing and filing charges against the driver identified as Christopher Lim de Vera, personnel of the DOTr even gave him VIP treatment.”
Tulfo said DOTr should have charged De Vera with violation of Republic Act No. 10586 or Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Law.
The legislator was further angered when he asked the DOTr what sanction they gave their three employees who took De Vera to his condo.
In response, the agency said they are still investigating the incident that took place two weeks ago already.
“Aside from suspension, the three could be removed from service.”
The lawmaker instructed DOTr to impose a penalty against their three offending personnel to which DOTr Usec. Ferdinand Ortega agreed, saying that aside from suspension, the three could be removed from service.
The Philippine National Police (PNP), meanwhile, also received a sermon from the senator because they came to the place where the incident took place but left immediately. He requested the PNP to sanction their three police officers.
In the next committee hearing on August 20, Tulfo said that the appropriate punishment for the negligent PNP and DOTr personnel should already be imposed.
