THE Land Transportation Office (LTO), under the guidance of Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, revoked the license of the driver of a black sports utility vehicle (SUV) that killed two people when it accelerated and crashed at the entrance of the departure area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on May 4.
In a five-page decision signed by LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II, the driver from Batangas also found guilty of reckless driving and was fined P2,000 aside from the revocation of his driver’s license for four years.
Asec Mendoza explained that the penalty imposed on the driver—fine of P2,000 and revocation of driver’s license for four years for being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle— are the maximum penalty allowed under the law.
Following the incident that left a four-year old daughter of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) and a 29-year old man dead, the LTO immediately issued a show cause order on the registered owner and the driver of the black Ford Everest.
The driver, however, did not submit any statement to defend himself or explain his side on the charges of reckless driving and being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.
Under Rule I(e) of the Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01 to which he was penalized, it provides that driving a motor vehicle that endangers the property, or the safety or rights of person is reckless driving and carries a penalty amounting to P2,000.
“Applying the above-mentioned provisions and jurisprudence to the facts of the case, the respondent-driver committed reckless driving that endangers the property or the safety or rights of the victim, given the gravity of his actions,” the decision read.
Asec Mendoza explained that the driver’s acts of having no due diligence in driving, which caused the incident that resulted in the death of two non-passengers and several injuries to other victims, and damage to property, are considered unacceptable behavior of a driver and is punishable by revocation of license under the Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
In the same decision, the LTO stressed anew that driving is not a right but a privilege that can be revoked anytime in cases of violations of the existing laws and road safety rules and regulations.
He then warned motorists to be responsible and disciplined on the road in order to prevent legal problems
