The mystery behind the fake plates on a Porsche 918 Spyder just got a major plot twist.
Businessman Anthony “AJ” Violago has voluntarily surrendered for investigation and admitted he was the one driving the supercar at the center of the controversy — not actor Derek Ramsay, according to a source familiar with the matter. Violago was accompanied by Ramsay when he surrendered.
The source said Violago admitted using the fake plate simply “for show” or “yabang.”
Violago, president and CEO of San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders & Developers Group, is the son of businessman Oscar Violago, whose interests span real estate, infrastructure, agriculture and energy.
What remains unclear is how Violago came to be driving the Porsche — whether Ramsay had lent him the car or there was another arrangement involving the vehicle.
Violago’s admission comes after Ramsay went public to insist he had nothing to do with driving around with bogus plates.
“I’ve seen the issue regarding the 918 Spyder on social media. I do not drive any cars with fake plates. All my vehicles have proper plates,” Ramsay said.
The actor said he had not received a show cause order from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), but made clear he was willing to cooperate.
“I have not yet received any show cause order but I will cooperate and appear when requested,” he said.
Ramsay also apologized to the agency over the controversy, saying driving with fake plates was wrong and “should not be tolerated.”
The LTO has not publicly identified the personalities linked to the case.
The agency earlier said a verification check found that the plate displayed on the Porsche did not match its registered license plate number.
The registered owner and designated driver were ordered to appear before the LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division and explain why their licenses should not be suspended or revoked.
The designated driver’s license was placed under a 90-day preventive suspension, while the Porsche was put under alarm status and ordered impounded.
LTO chief Markus Lacanilao has said there will be no special treatment, regardless of who is involved.
