LTO revokes license of person in viral video for reckless driving

Updated (9:11 p.m.)

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has revoked the license of Miko Lopez, the motorist who was seen in a viral video driving his car while seated in the passenger seat.

The LTO also perpetually barred him from getting a driver’s license and stripped him of the privilege to drive a motor vehicle.

In a resolution released Thursday, Lopez was charged with multiple violations such as speeding, reckless driving, failure to wear or use a seatbelt, and driving a motor vehicle without a steering wheel or Unauthorized Motor Vehicle Modification.

Lopez is required to pay penalties for the said violations ranging from P1,000 to P5,000.

Lopez’s violations stemmed from a video he posted on his personal Facebook account on May 25 where he was also seen using his left leg to operate the gas and brake pedals.

According to LTO’s four-page resolution, Lopez failed to appear before the LTO despite the subpoena issued against him.

READ: Driver in reckless driving viral video, no-show in LTO hearing

“Mr. Lopez did not exert any effort to coordinate and contact the Office to give his side relative to the aforementioned incidents up to this date,” the memorandum order read.

“Lopez disregarded the opportunity to present his side and did not make any clear effort to coordinate with the agency,” it added.

Following the decision, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante urged the public to report irresponsible motorists to the agency.

“The safety of the public is and will always be our top priority; hence, we shall not hesitate to strip the privilege of motorists who willfully endanger others. We encourage the public to report drivers like Mr. Lopez,” Galvante said in a statement.

“We implore our citizens to take part in penalizing arrogant road users, so they are not emulated,” he added.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said that the LTO’s decision on Lopez’s case should serve as a warning to motorists to comply with traffic laws.

“Driving on public roads is a privilege. Owning a license is a privilege. When we use those roads, we partake in the shared responsibility of road safety. What Mr. Lopez did was an utter disregard for the safety of motorists and pedestrians. He poses a danger to the public, and therefore, has no place on our public roads,” Tugade said. (Editor: Eden Estopace)