Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III has ordered the immediate dismissal of a Contract of Service worker who fled from traffic enforcers after being flagged down for a traffic violation.

Secretary Estrella also directed Assistant Secretary Ubaldo R. Sadiarin Jr., the immediate supervisor of Russel Smith, to ensure that Smith surrenders to traffic authorities and takes full responsibility for his violation.

“Fire him!” Estrella firmly instructed Asst. Secretary Sadiarin following reports that Smith had invoked his name while being apprehended.

“My parents and grandparents taught me to live a simple life. I do not keep police escorts, nor do I condone the misuse of my name,” the DAR chief stated in response to allegations that Smith resorted to name-dropping during the incident.

Smith was flagged down by Quezon City traffic enforcers on Thursday for illegally parking his vehicle along Timog Avenue. Video footage of the incident shows him refusing to present his driver’s license and speeding away to evade apprehension.

Secretary Estrella categorically denied any direct association with Smith and ordered an immediate and thorough investigation. He also emphasized that, regardless of the findings, Smith’s contract of service with the department will not be renewed, and he will be permanently barred from any future employment with the Department of Agrarian Reform.

“We will recommend the filing of criminal charges against Mr. Smith if our investigation points us to this action. However, the Quezon City Police Department must file charges now if evidence so warrants,” said Estrella.

The Secretary further expressed his sincere apologies to the law enforcement officers involved in the incident and commended them for their professionalism and unwavering commitment to enforcing the law.

“Their dedication to upholding order and discipline on our roads, even in the face of name-dropping and attempted evasion, is commendable. The Department of Agrarian Reform fully supports their efforts to ensure accountability and maintain public order,” Estrella added.

Smith, who was hired as a Contract of Service worker, was designated as an Administrative Support Staff IV under the office of Asst. Secretary Sadiarin.

Estrella Umalma sa Abusadong Drayber ng DAR: “Sisantihin Siya!”

Iniutos ni Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III ang agarang pagtanggal sa isang Contract of Service worker na tumakas mula sa mga traffic enforcers matapos siyang ma-flag down dahil sa paglabag sa batas-trapiko.

Direktang inutusan ni Secretary Estrella si Assistant Secretary Ubaldo R. Sadiarin Jr., ang direktang supervisor ng driver na si Russel Smith, na tiyaking ang empleyado ay sumuko sa mga awtoridad at ganap na tanggapin ang pananagutan sa kanyang paglabag.

“Sisantihin siya!” matibay na utos ni Secretary Estrella kay Sadiarin kasunod ng mga ulat na binanggit ni Smith ang kanyang pangalan habang siya ay hinuhuli.

“Tinuruan ako ng aking mga magulang at lolo’t lola ng simpleng pamumuya. Wala akong escort na mga pulis, at hindi ko kinakampihan ang maling paggamit ng aking pangalan,” pahayag ng hepe ng DAR bilang tugon sa mga pangyayari.

Si Smith ay na-flag down ng mga enforcers ng Quezon City noong Huwebes dahil sa iligal na pagparada o illegal parking ng gamit na sasakyan sa kahabaan ng Timog Avenue. Makikita sa nakuhang video ng pangyayari ang pagtanggi ni Smith na magpakita ng kanyang lisensya bago kumaripas paalis.

Mariing tinanggi ni Secretary Estrella ang anumang asosasyon kay Smith at agarang inutos ang mabusising imbestigasyon sa pangyayari. Kaniya ring diniin na, anuman ang kalabasan ng imbestigasyon, ay hindi i-rerenew ang kontrata ni Smith sa kagawaran, at hindi na makakabalik kailanman sa Department of Agrarian Reform.

“Irerekomenda namin ang pagsasampa ng kaso laban kay Mr. Smith kung hihingin ng resulta ng imbestigasyon. Gayunpaman, ang Quezon City Police Department ay maari nang magsampa kung sila ay may sapat nang ebidensya,” ani Sec. Estrella.

Ipinahiwatig din ni Sec. Estrella ang taos-pusong paumanhin sa mga awtoridad na nasangkot sa pangyayari at pasasalamat sa kanilang propesyonalismo at paninindigan sa pagpapatupad ng batas.

“Ang kanilang dedikasyon sa pagpapaigting ng kapayapaan at disiplina sa kalsada sa gitna ng name-dropping at tangkang pag-iwas ay kahanga-hanga. Sinusupotahan ng Department of Agrarian Reform ang kanilang mga hakbang tungo upang mapanigurado ang accountability at upang mapanatili ang public order,” dagdag ni Sec. Estrella.

Si Smith ay isang itinalagang Administrative Support Staff IV na Contract of Service worker sa ilalim ng opisina ni Asst. Secretary Sadiarin.