The Land Transportation Office Region 6 (LTO-6) is seeking the permanent revocation of a Bacolod City motorist’s license after he fled from an inspection checkpoint, citing public safety as its top priority.
The case stemmed from an incident on July 3, when the driver of a white Suzuki Multicab van refused to stop at an LTO-6 checkpoint at the old airport area in Brgy. Singcang, Bacolod City, LTO-6 said in a Facebook post on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
LTO-6 Investigation and Intelligence Unit Chief Shiela Mae Alulod issued a show-cause order to the motorist, who, along with his father, appealed for leniency.
They explained that the driver suffers from anxiety and was rushing to a job interview at the time, claiming the act was unintentional.
However, LTO-6’s review of medical documents confirmed that the driver has Bipolar 1 Disorder with Psychotic Features, a psychosocial disability recognized by the Department of Health as causing significant impairment in judgment and functioning.
LTO-6 Regional Director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II signed a resolution recommending the permanent revocation of the driver’s license, ruling that the seriousness of the diagnosis outweighed the plea for leniency.
“The inability to follow lawful orders, compounded by a severe mental health condition, presents an ongoing risk to the motoring public,” Geduspan stated.
The ruling declared the driver as an “improper person to operate motor vehicles” under Section 27(a) of Republic Act 4136. His record will be placed on permanent alarm, and reapplication will only be allowed upon certification from a licensed medical authority that he is fully recovered and fit to drive.
Geduspan said that while mental health is a serious concern, public safety remains paramount, adding that even an underlying condition cannot excuse actions that endanger lives on the road.*