Simbulan crash suspect wants other bus examined

MANILA, Philippines -  The lawyer of bus driver Daniel Espinosa is seeking a subpoena for the other bus unit involved in the accident that killed journalist Lourdes Simbulan.

Lawyer Salvador Panelo is asking the Quezon City prosecutors’ office to compel Nova Auto Transport to bring its unit, which was allegedly the first to hit the taxicab carrying Simbulan on May 13.

Panelo – who represents Espinosa, a driver of bus firm Universal Guiding Star – said he wants both sides to be able to “examine the bus itself,” specifically the Nova bus with body number 080 and plate number TXE-721, driven by Victor Ancheta.

Panelo made the statement after Ancheta submitted his counter-affidavit to the complaint before the prosecutors’ office.

Espinosa, Ancheta and cabbie Vito Jagunos are facing charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and damage to property, hit and run and abandonment of one’s victim.

According to Panelo, a paint analysis done by the Quezon City Police District showed that the color of the Nova bus seemed to be different, with one side brighter than the other. Nova buses are painted red and green.

“I’m thinking the bus may have been brought in after the sideswipe and painted over, plus there is no mark on the side where it was supposed to have nicked the taxi,” he said.

Ancheta said he never hit the taxi and that he was not racing with another Nova bus.

Panelo said he is also considering the filing of separate charges against Nova Auto Transport for allegedly failing to report to authorities that one of its buses was involved in the crash.