Former Iloilo mayor summoned over fatal hit-and-run crash

By Gerome Dalipe

A former Iloilo mayor is facing scrutiny after a deadly hit-and-run that left one man dead and another seriously injured.

The Land Transportation Office in Western Visayas has issued a show cause order against former Calinog Mayor Salvador “Badong” Divinagracia Jr., directing him to explain why he should not face administrative or legal sanctions.

Regional Director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II, through the agency’s Intelligence and Investigation Unit, launched the probe following the March 15 incident that killed a 20-year-old motorcycle rider in Barangay Pasil, New Lucena.

Police said Divinagracia was driving a Ford Raptor when he struck the victim along the highway. Instead of stopping, he allegedly panicked and fled, dragging the motorcycle and leaving the rider dead on the spot.

The fleeing vehicle then hit another motorcycle rider — a 37-year-old mechanical engineer from Concepcion — before the former mayor was intercepted and arrested at the Ungka Flyover in Pavia.

Divinagracia later admitted he fled out of fear.

“The acts of reckless imprudence, negligence, and failure to exercise due care… constitute violations of traffic laws,” the show cause order read.

Under Section 48 of Republic Act No. 4136, reckless driving that endangers lives and property is prohibited. Section 55 further mandates that drivers involved in accidents stop, identify themselves, and render aid.