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The Land Transportation Office (LTO) revoked the license of the driver previously caught operating a sport utility vehicle (SUV) that bore unauthorized Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) markings and was caught using the EDSA busway.
In a press release on Monday, the LTO said it arrived at the decision after their investigations revealed the driver was involved in another violation using the same vehicle, declaring him an “Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle” and ultimately revoking his driver’s license.
“Sa pagsusuri sa dalawang insidente, nakita ng LTO ang paulit-ulit na paglabag at maling representasyon na may kaugnayan sa paggamit ng sasakyan at mga pagkakakilanlan na hindi awtorisado para rito,” LTO said.
(Upon evaluating the two incidents, the LTO observed repeated violations and misrepresentations regarding the use of the vehicle and unauthorized identifiers attached to it.)
The incident first came to light in a viral online video showing an MMDA-marked SUV passing along the EDSA busway.
The LTO previously said that its probe revealed the SUV was registered as a private vehicle and is using a government license plate assigned to a truck in the MMDA’s inventory.
The agency also cited violations for installing unauthorized markings and accessories, including body numbers, sirens, and blinkers.
The vehicle remains impounded at the LTO Central Office. The agency has ordered the removal of its unauthorized markings and accessories.
While the LTO did not identify the vehicle owner, the agency previously said that a disguised MMDA vehicle plying the busway was apprehended. It was later revealed that MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III owned the car and was onboard as a passenger.
Torre paid a P14,000 fine for traffic violations cited by the LTO, including license plate tampering, unauthorized stickers and markings, and illegal modifications such as blinkers.
LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao emphasized that traffic rules are applied impartially regardless of an individual’s rank or position.
“Maski pa anong ranggo, posisyon, o katungkulan ang mayroon ka, kung ikaw ay may nilabag sa batas-trapiko, hindi ko po palalampasin ‘yan. Tayo sa gobyerno, malinaw sa atin ang batas, sumunod po tayo, gawin po natin ang tama at maging responsable sa kalsada,” Lacanilao said in the statement.
(No matter your rank, position, or status, if you violate traffic laws, I will not let it pass. For us in government, the law is clear: let us obey, do what is right, and be responsible on the road. —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/RF, GMA News
