Probe urged into Mitsubishi SUVs

A number of incidents of unintended acceleration has prompted calls for an investigation

Asenator wants to convene a panel investigation following reports that a certain SUV make is susceptible to lurching uncontrollably.

The number of accidents involving Mitsubishi Montero sports utility vehicles (SUVs) had prompted Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III to urge the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship to hold an inquiry into reports of sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) incidents.

He said the Senate inquiry is necessary in the best interest of public safety.

The Montero SUV is popular among local professionals as well as overseas Filipino professionals who look at the vehicle as a symbol of accomplishment.

Pimentel said that with thousands of passenger cars on Philippine roads everyday, there is an urgent need to protect and safeguard consumer rights and the welfare of motorists from this series of SUAs that have already claimed lives, injured people and damaged properties.

Through Senate Resolution No 1671, Pimentel asked the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship to conduct an inquiry into the issue, stressing it is a policy of the state to protect the interests of consumers from trade malpractices and from substandard or hazardous.

Since 2011, there had been numerous complaints from Montero owners that it is susceptible to abrupt and uncontrolled acceleration when the driver shifts the automatic transmission from park to drive, even as the drivers firmly had their foot on the brake pedal. Pimentel cited the case in 2010 of lawyer Rebecca Arambulo-Barbo, wife of former Eastern Samar governor and Senate secretary Lutgardo Barbo, who was backing up in their driveway when her Montero SUV suddenly lurched forward.

Pimentel narrated at least four accidents attributed to SUAs including one that occurred on November 10 when a retired government executive and his wife were injured.