'Disturbing on so many levels': Senator Tito Sotto, Karen Davila, and more outraged after hit-and-run SUV driver's presser
Prominent personalities expressed outrage online after the SUV driver who ran over the security guard in Mandaluyong held a press conference on June 15 and got to walk free.
Jose Antonio Sanvicente surrendered himself to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and faced the public together with his parents in Camp Crame. The 34-year-old apologized to victim Christian Floralde, and prior to the presser, got his license revoked by the Land and Transportation Office (LTO).
Police, however, said there were "no legal grounds" for arresting Sanvicente: “To inform the public, the PNP has no legal grounds to take into custody itong suspect considering na wala pa namang warrant of arrest na na-issue sa kanya. Hindi na po ito subject for warrantless arrest dahil there’s already a considerable lapse of time from the time na nangyari ‘yung insidente,” PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo siad.
This drew the ire of some government officials, media personalities, and members of the public.
'Injustice'
"Kapag mahirap nagnakaw ng bayabas kulong agad! What's happening to our country Mr. President?" Senate President Tito Sotto said on Twitter.
Kapag mahirap nagnakaw ng bayabas kulong agad! What’s happening to our country Mr President? https://t.co/9Yyjy8ZVPH
— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) June 16, 2022
The senator continued to comment on the topic, asking for a drug test to be done on Sanvicente.
He also reacted to a photo of PNP chief Vicente Danao talking to the Sanvicente family.
"PNP says they followed the rules? Really? Bakit hindi nyo subject to drug test? RA 10586 says so! p!&@₱:/¥%#," Sotto continued.
PNP says they followed rules? Really? Bakit hindi nyo subject to drug test? RA 10586 says so! p!&@₱:/¥%# https://t.co/BaVAm8wjal
— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) June 16, 2022
Legal procedures? Then brush up on issue of illegal drugs. It takes weeks to clean up any trace of real dangerous drugs if you use a comprehensive drug test. Attn PNP spokesperson! https://t.co/cyFDo35vsl
— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) June 17, 2022
Meanwhile, broadcast journalist Karen Davila described the events as "disturbing on so many levels."
"This is so disturbing on so many levels. Suspect admits to running over the security guard as seen on viral video, holds a presscon with the PNP and lets him walk free. Since when is a hit and run not a crime?" she wrote.
This is so disturbing on so many levels. Suspect admits to running over the security guard as seen on viral video, holds a presscon with the PNP and lets him walk free.
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) June 15, 2022
Since when is a hit and run not a crime? pic.twitter.com/XlH9JmeZwg
Incoming senator JV Ejercito said that the suspect shouldn't have been allowed to walk free.
"It should already be considered as 'hot pursuit.' Di na dapat pinauwi," he said.
Of hit & run case, it should already be considered as “hot pursuit”.
— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) June 16, 2022
Di na dapat pina-uwi.
On June 6, Ejercito said he received a message from the father of Sanvicente and forwarded their details to the PNP.
Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) lawyer Ted Te also commented on the incident, writing a thread about the "surrender."
"It's not a 'surrender' when the driver surfaces to hold a press conference. No charges are pending in court and no warrant has been issued.The police lost their opportunity to arrest him immediately under the 'hot pursuit' exception after he ran over the traffic enforcer," he began.
It's not a "surrender" when the driver surfaces to hold a press conference. No charges are pending in court and no warrant has been issued.The police lost their opportunity to arrest him immediately under the "hot pursuit" exception after he ran over the traffic enforcer.[1]
— Ted Te (@TedTe) June 15, 2022
"If it was a jeepney driver who ran over the guard, you think there would have been a press conference," Te said.
If it was a jeepney driver who ran over the guard, you think there would have been a press conference?
— Ted Te (@TedTe) June 15, 2022
Netizens were also enraged by the presser, calling it an incident of "injustice."
police can arrest an elderly environmental defender, arrest 92 food advocates & artists supporting farmers.But couldn’t arrest suv driver who deliberately ran over a guard,waited for his surrender w/ his parents +presscon Photos @gmanews @onenewsph @karapatan @PilipinasSaka pic.twitter.com/PpEhrKL0cx
— nikki luna (@nikkiluna) June 15, 2022
"ang Hustisya ay para lang sa Mayaman"
— 88_vmc (@CMV_8reborn) June 16, 2022
This happened under the watch of PNP & Army while the rich SUV driver got away scot-free with a press con. https://t.co/cCTiTsKPOk
the justice system in this country is so problematic and is only intended for the rich and privileged like why the hell is that suv driver still not in jail for running over a security guard (who, btw, was taken sa icu)
— dylan (@dumscribo) June 15, 2022
In the final analysis, the treatment given to the SUV driver is humane, within the bounds of law, and inherently, correct.
— Logie Kinko (@Logickinko) June 16, 2022
Now if only it is applied to EVERYONE then we can all shut up and be at peace.
That is what we are fighting for. Gets nyo na?
If you have ever doubted the severe classism in this country, look at the police treatment between the Tinag farmers (who harmed no one) and the SUV driver who ran over a security guard.
— Cholo (@cincave_) June 15, 2022
On June 17, Sanvicente was absent from a preliminary investigation at Mandaluyong Hall of Justice, while the security guard Floralde was present.