Lawmaker hurt in road mishap

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines — Pangasinan’s Second District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, his daughter and two other companions were hospitalized after their van collided head on with a Dagupan Bus before dawn yesterday along the national highway in Bugallon town.

“It’s our second life,” Bataoil told The STAR in a phone interview from his room at the Dagupan Doctors Villaflor Memorial Hospital.

Bataoil, his 14-year old daughter Angela, his nephew Police Officer 3 Jim Evangelista, and their driver Ruben Escobar sustained injuries in different parts of their bodies.

Escobar suffered more serious injuries and is still at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital.

Bataoil said they had just visited two barangays in Bugallon and Aguilar towns where he had speaking engagements and were on their way home to Lingayen when the accident occurred.

He said his daughter accompanies him on his speaking engagements to serve as critic of his speeches.

“She is my guardian angel. Thank God we’re saved,” he said.

He also expressed gratitude for the quick response of the ambulance and the police that took them to the hospital.

Bataoil’s Nissan Escapade van with license plate ZET 264 was severely damaged, particularly on the left side.

The driver of the Dagupan Bus with license plate DAS 578, Benny Cainap of Bagong Silangan, Quezon City, surrendered to the police.

Police investigation showed that the southbound bus was cruising along the highway when the driver allegedly tried to evade a motorcycle and hit Bataoil’s northbound vehicle on the opposite lane.

Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr., spokesman of the Philippine National Police, said the accident occured at 1 a.m. at Poblacion in Bugallon, Pangasinan.

Cruz said the bus driver is now in police custody and will face the appropriate charges. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe