CEBU CITY, Philippines — Dumanjug Mayor Efren Guntrano “Gungun” Gica said he will comply with the directives of the Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO-7) as he faces administrative proceedings over a road crash in Minglanilla, Cebu, earlier this week.
Gica said he has cooperated with authorities since the July 19 collision and has also coordinated with the agency regarding the incident.
“Kung unsay penalty sa akong nabuhat na sayop, walay special treatment (Whatever penalty is due for what I did wrong, there should be no special treatment),” Gica said in a phone interview with reporters on Wednesday, July 22.
READ: Dumanjug’s Mayor Gica apologizes over road crash
Gica was riding a motorcycle when it collided with a Toyota Hi-Ace van along the northbound lane of the national highway in Barangay Pakigne, Minglanilla.
LTO-7 investigation
The LTO-7 ordered Gica to explain his side after a video of the collision circulated online and reached the agency’s attention.
READ: LTO-7 issues show cause order against Dumanjug mayor, suspends license
In a show cause order issued on Tuesday, July 21, LTO-7 Director Atty. Wendel Dinglasan directed Gica to appear before the agency’s Operations Division within five days and submit a sworn explanation with supporting evidence.
The agency is investigating possible violations of Republic Act No. 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, including reckless driving, operating a vehicle without the prescribed number plate, and being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.
READ: License revocation sought for SUV driver who hit Cebu traffic enforcer
While the investigation is ongoing, LTO-7 imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on Gica’s driver’s license and ordered him to surrender the original document.
“I think sakto ra pud nga gisuspenso akong license kay lagi, bisag kinsa, we have to be careful sa kalsada para walay tao or kinabuhi ang maamong,” he said.
(I think it’s only right that my license was suspended because, whoever we are, we have to be careful on the road so that no one gets hurt or loses their life.)
“Naa pa may days for me to prepare my reply, for me to surrender my license and to pay for the penalty for reckless driving. Mobayad ko maybe tomorrow,” Gica added.
(I still have days to prepare my reply, surrender my license, and pay the penalty for reckless driving. I’ll probably pay it tomorrow.)
Settlement with van driver
Gica said he and the van driver had reached an amicable settlement over the collision.
The mayor agreed to shoulder the Toyota Hi-Ace’s repair costs and the income lost while the vehicle was unavailable for bookings, which he said amounted to around P8,100 per day.
A police blotter earlier confirmed that responding officers found both parties had already reached an agreement when they arrived.
Motorcycle plate
Gica also addressed the LTO’s allegation that he was operating the motorcycle without the prescribed number plate.
“Wala na nako tuyoa nga wala ko’y plate number. Actually, naa koy temporary plate number, but nagkawil-kawil lang siya, mao tong akong gi-sulod sa bag,” he said.
(I didn’t intentionally drive without a plate number. Actually, I had a temporary plate, but it was already loose, so I put it in my bag in the meantime.)
Gica said he showed the responding police officers the required documents to prove that he was legally using the motorcycle.
The Dumanjug mayor has yet to appear before the LTO-7, which has not yet determined the final findings and appropriate action in the administrative case.