Tulfo raises concern over gov’t vehicles causing accidents

COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE FOR GOV’T VEHICLES: Sen. Raffy Tulfo proposes a comprehensive insurance policy for all government vehicles to cover not only physical injuries or death of third-persons but all damages that may be encountered by a government vehicle, such as damage to the other vehicle, damage to property, and physical injury and death of the passenger of the government vehicle. Bibo Nueva España / Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — Alleged instances of government vehicles causing accidents to the detriment of the public was brought up by Senator Raffy Tulfo on Wednesday.

In his privilege speech delivered in a plenary session, Tulfo wondered where Filipinos should run if the government is the one responsible for mishaps.

According to the senator, almost every week, victims appeal in his public service program to ask help due to these kinds of incidents.

He then presented a video supposedly showing footage and photos of government vehicles causing damage to the public. Tulfo said the vehicles are from Sapian, Capiz, the province of Negros Occidental, and Cardona, Rizal.

“My concern regarding this matter is the frequency of these incidents. I’m sure I’ve only hit the tip of the iceberg [at] marami po tayong mamamayan na napapanganga na lang tuwing naghahabol ng danyos mula sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno na nagmamay ari ng mga government vehicles na nagdulot ng aksidente,” he said.

(My concern regarding this matter is the frequency of these incidents. I’m sure I’ve only hit the tip of the iceberg [and] we have many citizens who just stare at nothing every time they claim damages from the government agencies that own the government vehicles that caused the accident.)

Tulfo  proceeded to question the “lack” of Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL) insurance in the country’s government vehicles.

“Hindi po nadedemanya ang gobyerno para sa mga danyos, maliban na lang kung ito ay papayag na madedemanda. Pero sino ba namang gobyerno ang papayag na sila ay mademanda? Kaya’t kung wala pong CTPL o kahit anong insurance, sino ang hahabulin ng biktima?,” he said.

(We cannot sue the government for damage, unless it agrees to be sued. But which government will allow itself to be sued? So if there is no CTPL or any insurance, who will the victim go after?)

With this, Tulfo said there are only two outcomes — “the poor government driver will beg or the victim will just cry.”

But how will this be resolved? Among the senator’s proposals include allowing certain tort claims against the government.

According to Tulfo, this has long been done by the United States when they enacted a Federal Tort Claims Act that provides legal means for compensating individuals who have suffered personal injury, death, or property loss or damage caused by negligent or wrongful act or mission of an employee of the federal government.

“While I do not propose that we adopt the same legislation, I would just like to point out that as a government we have to acknowledge and take responsibility for damage that may be caused by our operations. This will cover the people who have suffered damage and will teach our own people to be responsible in performing their  own duties,” he noted.

Another suggestion is for all government vehicles in the country to have comprehensive insurance to cover not only physical injuries or death of persons, but all damage that may be encountered.