MMDA dismayed over LTO's ruling on Carabuena

MANILA, Philippines - Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino on Tuesday expressed his dismay over the decision of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) not to revoke the driver’s license of Robert Blair Carabuena, who became controversial after he was caught on video slapping and verbally assaulting a traffic enforcer last August in Quezon City.

In a seven-page decision, the LTO found that Carabuena was not in violation of Section 21 of the Land Transportation and Traffic Code and was only a “mere traffic violation which does not merit the harsh penalty of revocation” nor was he guilty of “operating or using a motor vehicle in, or as an accessory to, the commission of any crime or at which endangers the public.”

The LTO instead recommended that Carabuena be charged with Disregarding Traffic Signs/Disregarding Traffic Officer.

“Mr. Carabuena’s action was not only a crime, but a clear and blatant disregard for authority. People like him with that kind of temper and behavior should not be allowed to drive along our roads because he is a danger not only to our enforcers, but to other motorists as well. This is not simply disregarding a traffic officer,” Tolentino said.

“A mere issuance of warning is not enough for Mr. Carabuena and we still believe that his driver’s license should be revoked,” Tolentino added.

Carabuena was caught on video as he slapped MMDA traffic enforcer Saturnino Fabros last August 11, 2012 at the Tandang Sora – Capitol Hills intersection. The video later went viral on the Internet.

Following the incident, the MMDA requested the LTO to have Carabuena’s driver’s license revoked. Carabuena later appeared at the MMDA and apologized.

Tolentino said the agency would be filing a motion to have the LTO reconsider its decision.