Viral road rager comedienne’s brother, says LTO

The man who was involved in a viral road rage incident which prompted the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to suspend his driver’s license was identified as Carlo Subong, the brother of celebrity comedian Pokwang or Marietta Subong in real life.

The incident, which occurred over the weekend and was widely shared online, showed the driver of a white Toyota Hilux confronting and hitting a man pushing a cart in front of his small child.

The driver then fled the scene, leaving the child crying. The confrontation reportedly began after the cart grazed the Hilux.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao announced Monday that Subong was issued a 90-day preventive suspension and a Show Cause Order (SCO), requiring him to explain why his license should not be permanently revoked under charges of being an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle.

Lacanilao condemned the behavior, stressing the psychological impact on the child. He warned that failure to respond to the SCO would result in automatic license revocation.

“The agency will not tolerate this kind of behavior on the streets,” he said, adding that justice would be served.

House Committee on Public Accounts and Bicol Saro Representative Terry Ridon lauded the LTO’s swift action.

“Thank you Land Transportation Office — Philippines for swift action on the road rage incident of Carlo Subong,” Ridon posted on social media.

The lawmaker recommended further actions, including lifetime revocation of Subong’s license, criminal charges for physical assault and grave threat, and impounding the Toyota Hilux.

Ridon stressed that drivers who abuse ordinary people must be held accountable.

“If you are going to apologize, just apologize, and take steps to hold yourself accountable. The arrogance, the physical assault (hitting the back of the head), and the cursing directed at the solo parent who pushes a cart is the issue, let’s not divert attention from it,” Ridon stated in a subsequent post, referencing Pokwang’s apology.

Meantime, comedian Pokwang confirmed in a video statement released Tuesday morning that the driver was her brother. She apologized to the victim and his daughter, promising to visit them personally.

“I am apologizing. For the people [he] had a confrontation with, especially to the daughter, I am sorry, my dear. I will visit you, okay? Just wait, your Auntie Pokwang will go there. Please forgive me,” Pokwang said.

While apologizing for her brother’s unacceptable behavior, Pokwang criticized a politician, believed to be Ridon, who had posted the faces of her family members related to the incident.

“I know you are from Bicol. Please be careful, because you are a lawmaker, so you should know that we have something called cyberbullying and cyberlibel,” she warned, adding that the guilt of one person should not be blamed on the whole family.