MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III – Photo courtesy of Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager Nicolas Torre III has taken a month-long leave as a vehicle linked to him remains impounded and under investigation for allegedly using a license plate that did not match its registration.
Torre’s leave took effect Tuesday, Sept. 8, amid an ongoing Land Transportation Office investigation. MMDA Chair Don Artes said the general manager volunteered to temporarily step away from his duties and that the agency would allow the LTO to independently handle the case.
The controversy centers on a privately registered sport utility vehicle owned by Torre that was captured on video bearing MMDA markings, a body number, siren and blinker. Artes previously confirmed that Torre owned the SUV seen traveling along the EDSA Busway.
An LTO verification found another issue: the plate displayed on the vehicle did not correspond with the agency’s registration records. The discovery led authorities to issue a show-cause order against the driver on Aug. 28, followed by another against the registered owner on Aug. 29 after investigators uncovered a second incident involving the vehicle.
The driver has since lost his license. The LTO announced Sept. 7 that it had revoked the license over the plate misuse, while the SUV remains in the custody of the agency at its Central Office.
The case comes as the LTO intensifies enforcement against fake and unauthorized improvised plates. Beginning Sept. 1, the agency said vehicles using improvised plates without authorization could be impounded, while counterfeit plates designed to resemble official government-issued plates would be confiscated.
The LTO has also been coordinating with the PNP, National Bureau of Investigation and other government agencies to crack down on the production and online sale of fake plates and conduction stickers. The agency said motorists who have lost their plates must first obtain authorization before using an improvised replacement.
Artes said Torre’s absence would not disrupt MMDA services. He also stressed that government position or rank does not place anyone beyond the traffic regulations the agency itself is tasked with enforcing.
The MMDA has not announced the outcome of the LTO investigation against Torre as registered owner. His one-month leave, meanwhile, leaves the investigation to proceed while he is temporarily away from his post.