The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the perpetual revocation of the driver’s license of a lawyer who ran over a traffic enforcer in Kawit, Cavite, permanently banning her from driving.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said the decision was in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to strictly punish abusive drivers on the road.
“’Pag kayo ay hindi sumunod sa batas, kayang-kayang tanggalin ng gobyerno, ng LTO, ang lisensya n’yo. Either temporarily, or in the case ng mga grabeng violators, forever o habambuhay kayong hindi makaka-maneho, makakasuhan pa kayo,” Dizon said during a media briefing on Tuesday.
The incident involved traffic enforcer Michael Trajico, who said he was only performing his duty when the lawyer hit him with her vehicle. Trajico recounted that he was clinging to the car’s hood for nearly 15 minutes in fear for his life.
Dizon also hit back at the driver’s arrogance.
“Nagyayabang pa itong driver na kesyo abogado siya. Kung abogado ka, mananagasa ka ba ng enforcer? Okay, since abogado ka, harapin mo itong mga parating sa ’yo,” he said.
In an exclusive interview on DZRH's Damdaming Bayan, Dizon also shared that violations with severe cases should be upheld liable.
"Siguro iyong mga ganitong grabeng violation ay dapat talaga ipahiya na natin ito publicly para matuto na itong mga kababayan natin. So, ito ang pinag-aaralan natin ngayon pero only for mga mabibigat na violation," he said.
Legal assistance vs the Lawyer
The transportation chief assured Trajico of legal assistance and encouraged him to pursue charges against the lawyer.
“Michael, nasa likod mo kami. ’Wag ka matakot sampahan mo ng kaso ’yan. ’Wag ka matakot porke abogado,” Dizon added.
Meanwhile, Dizon also announced that the DOTr is considering making public the names of habitual and abusive drivers, particularly those guilty of serious traffic violations, as part of efforts to strengthen road safety and accountability.
