The Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced Friday that it has issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) against the registered owner of a van whose driver was caught in a viral video counterflowing on a road in Quezon City and mocking other motorists while violating road safety rules and regulations.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II said the issuance of the SCO will eventually lead to the identification of the driver. He added that the summons was already sent to the registered owner of the Toyota Hiace Commuter with plate number UVE 914 at his residence in Novaliches, Quezon City.

“Matinding pambabastos ng ginawa ng driver hindi lang sa batas kundi pati na rin sa kapwa niya motorista. Hindi natin hahayaan na hindi mapanagot ang pagiging abusadong driver nito,” an irked Mendoza said after watching the video.

Based on the initial results of the investigation, the incident occurred on 30 December along Quirino Highway in Barangay Baño, Quezon City.

In the viral video, the vehicle was seen obstructing the free passage of other motorists, while the driver exhibited reckless behavior, including making a gesture that appeared to mock other motorists.

Mendoza said the registered owner was asked to appear before the LTO Central Office on 9 January and submit a written and notarized explanation as to why he should not be sanctioned.

The violations include Employing a Reckless Driver (Para. 7, Title IV, of DOTC JAO 2014-01).

The assigned driver was also directed to submit his own explanation as to why he should not be charged with Obstruction of Traffic (Sec. 54 of RA 4136) and Reckless Driving (Sec. 48 of RA 4136), and why his driver’s license should not be suspended or revoked for being an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle, in connection with the incident, as per Sec. 27(a) of RA 4136.

“Failure to appear and submit the written comments/explanations as required shall be construed by this Office as a waiver of your rights to be heard, and the case shall be decided based on the evidence at hand,” the SCO, signed by LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division head Renante Melitante, read.