Senator Sherwin Gatchalian clarified on Friday that he has not allowed anyone to use his official protocol plate following reports that his brother, Kenneth Gatchalian, was linked to a white Cadillac Escalade SUV that allegedly violated traffic laws by illegally using the EDSA Busway.
“I never lent out my official-issued license plates to anyone. The official license plate [that] is installed on my car is duly registered with the LTO (Land Transportation Office),” Gatchalian told reporters in a Viber message.
The senator was responding to questions about whether he owned the protocol plate in question, with speculation that his brother may have used it instead. Gatchalian’s office also denied any association with the “fake” number “7” plate observed on the SUV, noting the vehicle is registered under Orient Pacific Corporation and that the senator has no connections to the company.
“Senator Gatchalian was not involved in the incident at the EDSA busway in Guadalupe and was not inside the vehicle when it occurred… The senator does not own the fake protocol plate of the said SUV,” his office stated.
During an interview on Thursday, Gatchalian refrained from directly confirming if his family owns the SUV, stressing that he is leaving the investigation to the LTO, which he believes is “on top of the situation.” The senator added he does not support any violations linked to Orient Pacific Corporation, stating, “Susunod tayo sa batas sa lahat ng pagkakataon. Ito ang ating prinsipyo bilang isang lingkod-bayan sa loob ng mahabang panahon.”
Last Sunday, a video posted by the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) showed the SUV using the busway’s northbound lane at Guadalupe Station and allegedly attempting to evade apprehension by the DOTr-SAICT’s Secretariat, Sarah Barnachea.
Further investigation by the LTO, supported by Senate President Francis Escudero, found the “7” protocol plate was indeed fake. Initial records indicated that fewer than 30 Cadillac Escalades are registered in the Philippines. The SUV’s driver, Angelito Edpan, identified as an employee of Orient Pacific Corporation, later surrendered himself to authorities. According to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Kenneth T. Gatchalian, the senator’s brother and a congressional candidate, is the president of the company.
