Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian has stated he never lent his official protocol plate to anyone, following reports linking his brother, Kenneth Gatchalian, to a white Cadillac Escalade that illegally accessed the EDSA Busway using a “7” protocol plate.
“I never lent out my official-issued license plates to anyone. The official license plate on my car is duly registered with the LTO (Land Transportation Office),” Gatchalian said in a Viber message to reporters, distancing himself from the SUV incident that went viral online.
The senator’s office also confirmed that Gatchalian neither owns the “fake” protocol plate nor the vehicle involved in the busway violation. The vehicle is registered under Orient Pacific Corporation, a company with which Gatchalian asserts he has no connection.
In an earlier interview, Gatchalian refrained from confirming if the SUV belonged to his family, leaving the investigation to the LTO. “It is hard to issue a comment while they are investigating. The LTO is on top of the situation,” he remarked.
The incident occurred last Sunday when the white Escalade with a “7” protocol plate passed through the EDSA Busway at Guadalupe’s northbound lane, allegedly attempting to evade authorities. The plate was later confirmed as fake, according to Senate President Francis Escudero.
The driver, identified as Angelito Edpan, an employee of Orient Pacific Corporation, presented himself to authorities. SEC records reveal the president of Orient Pacific Corporation as Kenneth Gatchalian, the senator’s brother and a congressional candidate.
Gatchalian emphasized his commitment to legal compliance, saying, “We will follow the law at all times. This is our principle as a public servant for a long time.”