DILG exec’s driver relieved from post over illegal EDSA busway use

The driver of an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has been relieved from post after illegally using the EDSA busway last week, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Monday.

"He has been relieved but unfortunately his contract of service has no provision for termination.  He is no longer reporting for duty but will not be renewed.  We are revising all the contracts of service for the Department," Remulla said in a text message to GMA News Online.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, the DILG chief clarified that the involved vehicle is private-owned and not DILG-registered, and that the driver is not a police officer.

“Charges will be filed for impersonating a police officer,” he said.

According to Remulla, the involved person is a contractual driver of an “officer-in-charge director” of the Department.

“Private vehicle siya. Ang driver ay contractual driver ng isang OIC director namin. So kinukuha pa namin 'yung finer points ng investigation,” he said.

(It's a private vehicle. The driver is a contractual driver of an OIC director of the DILG. So we are still getting the finer points of the investigation.)

“Number 1, contractual employee siya. Number 2, hindi siya pulis.  Number 3, hindi namin sigurado kung 'yung amo niya ''yung OIC director ay kasabay niya sa sasakyan,” he added.

(Number 1, he is a contractual employee. Number 2, he is not a policeman.  Number 3, we are not sure if his boss, the OIC director, was with him in the car.)

A show cause order has been issued to the driver and the official. The DILG will also gather accounts from the apprehending officers.

On Thursday, a vehicle allegedly registered to the DILG was apprehended after using the EDSA busway in Quezon City.

The 35-year-old driver was issued a ticket and his license was also confiscated, pending his payment of the P5,000 fine as a first-time violator.—AOL, GMA Integrated News