Regulators moved swiftly after an online clip showing a woman holding a wine glass behind the wheel of a Mazda MX-5 spread across social media, prompting transport officials to impose a preventive 90-day suspension on her driver’s license and demand an explanation from both the driver and the vehicle’s owner.
Instead of waiting for an investigation to conclude, Land Transportation Office chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao immediately ordered that the license be turned over to authorities and directed the LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division to proceed with a formal inquiry scheduled on Friday, December 12. The agency likewise served a show cause order requiring the parties to justify why they should not face administrative action.
According to the directive, the driver and the registered owner must bring the sports car’s original documents to the hearing and submit a verified statement explaining their side regarding possible violations, including reckless driving and driving while under the influence, which are covered under Republic Act 4136. In a report by Jun Veneracion on “24 Oras,” Lacanilao said the female driver will be required to prove that she was not drinking liquor while driving.
“Kailangan ding magpaliwanag ang drayber kung bakit hindi dapat bawiin o i-revoke ang kanyang driver’s license dahil sa pagiging improper person to operate a motor vehicle ayon sa umiiral na batas at regulasyon sa transportasyon,” the LTO said.
Officials also placed the Mazda MX-5 under an LTO alarm to block any transactions involving the vehicle pending the probe. The LTO chief cautioned that not appearing at the hearing or failing to submit a verified explanation would be treated as a waiver of the respondents’ right to present their side, leaving the case to be decided based on evidence already in the agency’s possession.
