Barangay captain cited for driving with no helmet

CEBU, Philippines — The Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) issued a traffic citation ticket yesterday, January 6, to Barangay Basak Captain Felipe “Eping” Diano for violations of the no-helmet policy and disregarding traffic signals.

TEAM Head Hyll Retuya told The FREEMAN that traffic laws are strictly enforced regardless of a person’s position or status.

“Even if an official incurs a traffic infraction, he will be treated fairly, the same as an ordinary citizen on the road,” Retuya said.

Retuya acknowledged that at the time of the incident, the barangay captain was not apprehended on the spot.

The citation was issued after a concerned citizen posted a video on social media on Monday afternoon, January 5, showing Diano driving a motorcycle without a helmet along a highway in Barangay Basak while wearing his barangay uniform.

Retuya said that when he saw the footage he immediately tasked TEAM personnel to verify the incident and take necessary action. He added that Diano’s camp reached out to him and arranged a visit to the TEAM office to explain the incident.

During the visit, the barangay captain was issued citations for his traffic violations and informed of the corresponding penalties.

In an interview, the uploader who used the name “La Monalux,” said she posted the video out of concern for public safety.

“Wala g’yud to sa akong intensyon nga naa’y pangpandaot or unsa. Concerned ra g’yud ko kay pagkita nako sa shirt, public official diay siya,” she said, adding that she hoped the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and other concerned authorities would take appropriate action.

She said she didn’t expect the video to go viral, explaining that her intention was only to raise awareness, as she and her husband were merely on their way to a dental appointment in Consolacion town.

“Ang akoa ra g’yud ato for awareness ug eye-opener unta sa public nga dili unta panaminan sa uban, labi na sa mga kabatan-onan karon, ang pag-drive og motor nga walay helmet,” she said.

She added that as a driver herself, she was disheartened by what she witnessed on the highway, noting that she never drives without wearing a helmet.

“Nasakitan ko kay ako mismo nag-drive og motor, ug wala g’yud ko kasuway nga mag-drive nga walay helmet, labi na sa highway,” she said, explaining that she recorded the incident with pure intentions.

The uploader added that regardless of the reason --even in an emergency-- the act still constitutes a traffic violation.

She also noted that during the incident, Diano did not turn on his motorcycle’s hazard lights.

She stressed that there was no political motive behind her post and that she did not know at the time that the rider was the barangay captain.

“Honestly, wala ko kahibaw kung tinuod ba g’yud nga kapitan to siya. Wala ko mag-expect nga naa diay siyay katungdanan kay wala g’yud ko kaila,” she said.

Following the incident, Diano released an apology video expressing regret over the violation. He explained that he was responding to an emergency at his residence, where electrical sparks nearly caused a fire, prompting him to rush home without wearing a helmet.

“Nangayo ko og pasaylo sa publiko tungod sa wala nako pagsul-ob og helmet. Emergency g’yud kaayo kay hapit masunog ang akong panimalay, mao nga wala na g’yud ko makahuna-huna og helmet tungod sa kakuyaw sa sitwasyon,” Diano said.

He also stated he is prepared to face the consequences of his traffic violations. Diano later paid a total of ?1,000 in fines; ?500 for the no-helmet violation and another ?500 for disregarding traffic signals.

Meanwhile, DOH Central Visayas CHD releases the latest regional data on road crash injuries, chronic lifestyle-related diseases, and fireworks-related injuries, drawn from reports of sentinel and non-sentinel hospitals covering December 21, 2025 to January 6, 2026, as of 6 A.M.

Data shows a total of 117 persons were injured due to firecracker-related injuries while 449 were injured due to road accidents.

Also, 57 suffered chronic lifestyle-related diseases wherein four died due to stroke and one due to acute coronary syndrome.

To ensure public health and safety during the upcoming Sinulog 2026 celebration, the Department of Health Central Visayas Center for Health Development has implemented a Code White Alert from January 6-19, 2026. — (FREEMAN)