ILOILO City — A lawyer has permanently lost his driver’s license while a former municipal mayor was barred from driving for two years, as the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region 6 intensifies its campaign to remove dangerous motorists from Western Visayas roads.
The two motorists were among 12 drivers whose licenses were recommended for revocation by the LTO-6 Intelligence and Investigation Unit (IIU) from January to July this year.
Three of the 12 recommendations have already been approved by LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao, underscoring the agency’s warning that driving is a privilege that can be withdrawn from motorists who endanger lives.
The lawyer’s license was permanently revoked after an investigation established that he had committed violations of transportation laws.
In a two-page order dated July 16, Lacanilao affirmed the findings of the LTO-6 IIU and upheld the resolution approved by Regional Director Gaudioso P. Geduspan II.
Lacanilao ruled that the decision was supported by substantial evidence and consistent with existing laws, rules and regulations.
“These actions reflect our sincerity in ensuring that road safety is prioritized. We will not compromise the safety of innocent lives,” said Geduspan.
Meanwhile, the former mayor was held administratively liable for reckless driving after his actions resulted in a fatal road crash.
Lacanilao, in a separate two-page order dated July 7, adopted the IIU’s findings and ordered the revocation of the former mayor’s license for two years.
The former local chief executive was found liable for reckless driving under Section 48 of Republic Act No. 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
Beyond the 12 revocation cases, the IIU has placed 77 other drivers under scrutiny for various violations. The agency has also suspended 11 licenses and disqualified five individuals from obtaining a driver’s license in the future.
LTO-6 said the actions form part of a broader enforcement strategy aimed at holding motorists accountable and keeping unfit drivers off the road.
The agency has also apprehended 159 illegal or “colorum” vehicles during intensified operations this year.
Alongside enforcement, LTO-6 has expanded its driver education initiatives through 27 free Theoretical Driving Courses that benefited more than 6,500 individuals.
Its Traffic Safety Unit has also processed student permits for Indigenous youth from the Aeta community and implemented scholarship and livelihood programs that have assisted hundreds of beneficiaries.
LTO-6 said the combination of strict enforcement, driver education and community-based programs is intended to promote safer and more responsible driving across Western Visayas./PN
