LTO suspends driver in Baguio road crash

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended for 90 days the driver of a minibus that figured in a road accident in Baguio City on Saturday.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said a show-cause order was issued against the driver.

“We directed the driver, a resident of La Union, to surrender his license as soon as possible,” Mendoza said, adding the investigation will start with a hearing on May 20.

He said reports obtained by the LTO showed the bus hit a motorcycle before crashing into a concrete post in Barangay Bekekeng Central on May 10.

In the show-cause order signed by Renante Melitante, chief of the LTO intelligence and investigation division, the driver was told to explain in writing why he should not be held liable for reckless driving.

Melitante said the driver was ordered to explain why his license should not be revoked over the incident that left three people injured.

“Failure to appear and submit a verified explanation or comment would mean a waiver of your right to be heard, and the case to be decided based on the evidence at hand,” Melitante said in the show-cause order.

As this developed, the LTO also summoned the driver and owner of a truck involved in a road accident in Quezon province.

Mendoza also ordered the suspension of the license of the driver.

He said the driver was told to explain in writing why his license should not be revoked.

The operator of the truck was asked to explain why no sanctions would be imposed against him for employing a reckless driver, Mendoza said.

Both the driver and the owner were directed to attend the investigation at the LTO on May 16.

The probe would determine if the truck owner is conducting regular maintenance of all his vehicles, the LTO said.