By: Charissa M. Luci-Atienza
Lawmakers batted yesterday for the suspension or revocation of the driver’s license of actress Maria Isabel Lopez for violation of traffic rules and for breach of security last Saturday.
Deputy Speaker and Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, Isabela Rep. Rodito Albano and Deputy Speaker and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro agreed with the recommendation of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) that the driver’s license of Lopez should be either suspended or revoked.
“No one is above the law,” Garcia said in an interview.
“What does the law say that should be followed,” Albano said in a separate interview.
For his part, Castro said the maximum penalty of revocation should be imposed against Lopez, lamenting that the roads and highways are always in disarray due to absence or lack of discipline and disregard of traffic rules and regulations.
He said the imposition of maximum penalty will “ send a strong message that laxity and complacency in the enforcement of our traffic rules is the demand of the time and so that accidents and discomfort from traffic violation that has become annoying news of the day is arrested.”
“In essence however, this should become a day to day policy of the government and not, special, isolated and simply empty show,” the House leader said.
On November 12, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) issued a summon to Lopez for committing the following violations: Disregarding traffic signs, Violation of the Anti Distracted Driving Act, and Reckless driving.
LTO Chief Edgar Galvante said they will observe proper investigation procedures based on truth and adherence to the rule of law.
Lopez earlier admitted breaching the lane intended for delegates of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Summit and Related Summits.
The actress said she feels that she has become a “second class citizen in my country” for giving way to the ASEAN members.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Oscar Albayalde had warned that “any violations on the protocols and rules set forth by the ASEAN Task Forces shall not be tolerated.”