Actress on ASEAN lane breach: A lapse of judgment

MANILA, Philippines — Movie actress Maria Isabel Lopez yesterday admitted that her driving along a lane of EDSA designated for delegates of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit was a lapse of judgment on her part.

Lopez said she is ready to face the consequences of her actions as the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has yet to decide whether to revoke her driver’s license.

 Lopez appeared at the LTO-Law Enforcement Traffic Adjudication Service  (LETAS) office yesterday morning and explained a video showing herself driving along the ASEAN lane.

She said she did not intend to breach the security, noting she talked to a traffic constable of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) before she decided to take out the traffic cones marking the ASEAN lane.

“If there was a breach of security, I wouldn’t have talked to him and just gone ahead,” Lopez said, referring to the MMDA constable.

The actress drew flak after she posted a video of herself driving along the ASEAN lane over the weekend.

She apologized to the public and appealed to the LTO to consider the whole picture before it decides what sanctions to impose against her. 

Lopez is facing charges of disregarding traffic signs, reckless driving, violation of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act and a breach of protocols, LTO-LETAS director Francis Ray Almora said.

He said Lopez could appeal to Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade and President Duterte whatever decision the LTO would make on the matter.

Aside from suspension or revocation of license, Lopez is facing a fine of up to P5,000 for traffic violation.