The doctor involved in a recent viral road rage appeared at the Land Transportation Office to answer the show cause order issued against him by the agency.
Lawyer Clarence Guinto, acting director of the LTO Law Enforcement Service, said Tomas Mendez went to the agency’s office in Quezon City Thursday afternoon and submitted a sworn statement.
Mendez, who came with his lawyer, refused to comment about the incident and immediately left the premises after submitting his response.
The complainant, Santiago Paredes, also went to the agency to give his own testimony.
Mendez was caught in a video yelling at Santiago which he accused of almost hitting his car and blocking his way on the road.
In the videos circulating online since last week, Mendez was seen hurling expletives and insults to Paredes who was driving an L300 at that time.
A voice of a woman, who appeared to be Paredes’ wife, Merly, was also heard in the video saying that Mendez threw things on them first.
A separate video also surfaced online where Mendez was seen shouting to another driver.
This prompted the LTO to summon Mendez to explain his side on why his license should not be suspended or revoked.
According to Guinto, the agency’s Intelligence and Investigation Division will evaluate the statements of Mendez and Paredes, as well as the video before submitting a recommendation to LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante.
“If the investigator needs more clarification, he may call again for another hearing or he may now submit his recommendation to the disciplining authority,” Guinto explained.
Under the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, the LTO Assistant Secretary has the authority to suspend or revoke any driver’s license if “he has reason to believe that the holder is an improper person to operate motor vehicles.” (Alexandria San Juan)
