Aerol John Pateña/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is set to revoke the license of a driver who was seen in a viral video driving his car while seated in the passenger seat.
The driver, who was identified as Miko Lopez, will likewise face charges for reckless driving, illegal modification (removing the steering wheel), not wearing a seatbelt and “improper person to operate a motor vehicle,” according to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary for Communications Goddess Hope Libiran.
“He will also be disqualified from applying for a driver’s license again in the future,” Libiran told reporters on Wednesday.
The driver was summoned to the LTO central office in Quezon City for a hearing on the incident that was scheduled on the afternoon of the same day but did not show up.
“Mr. Lopez failed to appear despite service of summons. The LTO Law Enforcement Service will now prepare for the resolution,” Libiran said.
The video showed Lopez on the passenger seat, his left hand on the steering wheel and his left leg slung over the center console into the driver’s side to manipulate the pedals.
Meanwhile, DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport Mark de Leon warned the public not to make a mockery of traffic rules and regulations.
“Nakaligtas ka man noong oras na ginawa mo ‘yan (you may have made it during that moment), we will make sure you will get penalized. Let this be a stern warning to everyone else. We enjoin the citizenry to report this kind of violations, and we will act on it swiftly,” De Leon said in a statement.
