LTO chief issues stern warning against reckless drivers

Local

THE executive top official of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) warned the public that, under his leadership, the agency will strictly enforce traffic laws and permanently revoke the licenses of drivers involved in fatal road incidents.

Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao, speaking during a press conference in Cebu City, said the LTO will not tolerate reckless, drunk, or irresponsible drivers and vowed that motorists who kill due to violations will be stripped of their licenses for life.

He stressed that wealth or connections will not shield offenders from accountability, citing the recent hit-and-run that killed 23-year-old businessman Kingston Ralph Cheng in Barangay Banilad.

This comes as several sectors, including the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), have called on the government to strengthen road safety measures and prevent similar tragedies.

Lacanilao stressed that wealth or connections will not shield offenders from accountability.

“Whether he is rich, influential, or well-connected, it does not matter. If the evidence warrants it, he will be banned,” the LTO chief said.

He said he personally believed the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash and expressed concern for the safety of pedestrians, noting that drivers without proper licensing or sobriety pose a serious threat to public safety.

Lacanilao added that vehicle owners may also face accountability if they allow unfit drivers to operate their vehicles.

The LTO issued a show cause order and imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on the driver’s license of 21-year-old Sean Andrew Pajarillo.

The agency also placed the vehicle under alarm status and cited possible violations of Section 48 of Republic Act 4136 on reckless driving, being unfit to possess a driver’s license, and possible violation of Republic Act 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act.

A formal hearing is scheduled on February 17 at the LTO 7 Operations Division along N. Bacalso Avenue, Cebu City, where Pajarillo and the vehicle’s owner are required to submit a written explanation on why the license should not be suspended or revoked.

The crash occurred shortly after midnight on February 8, when the suspect’s sports utility vehicle first struck a parked car along Paseo Saturnino Road, then hit Cheng near the entrance of Maria Luisa Subdivision before continuing to Paseo Eulalia, where it lost control and overturned.

Cheng was declared dead on arrival at a hospital.

Police have filed charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and damage to property, while the suspect remains under hospital arrest.

Lacanilao said the LTO will intensify enforcement by increasing the presence of enforcers on the streets, improving coordination with the Philippine National Police, and deploying breath analyzers at accident scenes.

He also announced plans to revise the agency’s Joint Administrative Order to impose stricter penalties for drunk and reckless driving, emphasizing that administrative revocation of licenses will proceed regardless of criminal case outcomes.

Lacanilao echoed specific calls from CCCI which condemned the hit-and-run and urged concrete measures to prevent similar incidents.

The chamber extended condolences to Cheng’s family and highlighted that road accidents continue to claim "lives, limbs, and property, leaving lasting harm on families, communities, and livelihoods."

CCCI called for coordinated action by local and national governments to improve road safety through policy reform, effective enforcement, and safer infrastructure, and emphasized the importance of pedestrian protection and accessible sidewalks.

Lacanilao said the LTO will fully support these reforms and hold drivers accountable, ensuring that no one, regardless of social status or wealth, can evade responsibility for endangering lives.(MyTVCebu)