SUV with '7' plate linked to Gatchalians

The luxury vehicle bearing the Senate protocol plate "7" that was flagged down along the EDSA bus lane is a vehicle registered with the Gatchalians, according to the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

- MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB

The agency's records show that the white Cadillac Escalade is owned by Orient Pacific Corp., which is being managed by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian's father, William, and his brother Kenneth. However, the LTO did not disclose the individual owner of the sport utility vehicle.

Two Orient Pacific firms appear in the Securities and Exchange Commission records and both are owned by William, the so-called plastics king.

The company's director, Omar Guinomla, also said that the vehicle is registered under the corporation.

The vehicle's driver Angelo Edpan and Guinomla surrendered to the LTO yesterday and apologized to the agency.

The LTO has already issued a traffic violation ticket to Edpan.

His driver's license has also been confiscated.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza said they will issue a show-cause order to further investigate possible administrative liabilities against the owner and the driver.