MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) revoked yesterday the license of the driver operating the sport utility vehicle marked as a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) patrol vehicle.
According to LTO Secretary Markus Lacanilao, the driver has been involved in a traffic incident using the same vehicle.
“In reviewing the two incidents, the LTO found repeated violations and misrepresentation involving the use of the vehicle and unauthorized markings and identifiers,” Lacanilao said.
The LTO declared the driver an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.
Lacanilao said the patrol vehicle will remain impounded at the LTO.
He also ordered the removal of the MMDA markings, unauthorized siren and blinkers.
Last week, the LTO said the marked vehicle belongs to MMDA general manager Nicolas Torre III, who was fined P14,000 for several traffic violations.
The violations include the improper use of EDSA busway, tampering of license plates and the unauthorized use of blinkers.
Torre explained that he had his personal armored vehicle customized to be an official MMDA vehicle.
He said he bought the P3.5 million car from a religious organization.
Torre also admitted to using the EDSA busway while he was on duty, and he had a fake plate number copied from an MMDA truck.
Lacanilao said only administrative sanctions will be imposed on Torre, in accordance with the powers of the LTO.
“What weighs heavier here is that you are a government official. We should not be the ones who are violating the law,” Lacanilao said. “Regardless of your rank, position or office, if you violate traffic laws, I will not let it pass. As government officials, we know the law clearly. Let us follow it, do what is right and be responsible on the road.”