Metropolitan manila: Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Nicolas Torre III has taken a one-month leave from public office effective Tuesday as the Land Transportation Office (LTO) continues its investigation into the unauthorized use of plates on a vehicle he owned.

According to Philippines News Agency, MMDA Chair Don Artes stated that Torre volunteered to take the leave to give him sufficient time to reflect. "I have full trust and confidence in GM Torre as far as his work is concerned. The MMDA respects Gen. Torre's decision and wishes him well during his period of leave," Artes said.

He further mentioned that the agency is entrusting the investigation to the LTO. "No official, regardless of position or rank, is exempt from traffic laws and policies enforced to maintain order on major thoroughfares. The agency remains fully committed to the strict enforcement of traffic rules and regulations, public accountability, and continuous delivery of public service mandates," he added.

Artes assured that MMDA operations will remain unhampered despite Torre's leave. The leave comes after the LTO revoked the driver's license of the driver of the sports utility vehicle (SUV) owned by Torre for plate misuse.

The case arose from a video showing the SUV being driven with MMDA markings, including a body number, siren, and blinker. LTO verification revealed that the plate attached to the vehicle did not match its records and that the SUV was registered as a private vehicle.

The LTO issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) against the driver on Aug. 28, followed by another SCO on Aug. 29 against the registered owner after a second incident involving the same vehicle emerged during the investigation.

The SUV remains impounded at the LTO Central Office, with orders to remove the MMDA markings, siren, and blinker. Artes previously confirmed that Torre admitted to owning the vehicle that was caught on video plying the EDSA Busway.