The Land Transportation Office (LTO) issued a show-cause order to Pjmadd over a viral Facebook video allegedly showing a drift manoeuvre around a rotonda in Tuguegarao City.

In the video posted on Pjmadd’s Facebook page, a Hyundai Genesis Coupe can be seen drifting around the rotonda, which appears to have been professionally shot using a drone camera. In another clip from the same video, the driver is seen joyfully screaming while driving inside the vehicle.

In addition, the LTO observed that the driver was not wearing a seatbelt and found that the vehicle’s registration expired on 23 July 2024.

According to the SCO, the agency directed the driver and the registered owner of the vehicle to appear before the Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) of the LTO on East Avenue and ordered them to submit a formal explanation as to why the respondents should not face charges related to traffic violations.

The LTO cited that among the possible charges the respondents may face include reckless driving, violation of the mandatory use of seatbelts, and violation of the compulsory registration of motor vehicles.

Furthermore, the agency noted that the driver’s license might be suspended or revoked for being an “improper person to operate a motor vehicle.” The respondents were also directed to bring the said vehicle for a roadworthiness inspection.

Meanwhile, the driver’s license was temporarily suspended for 90 days and was required to be forfeited on the day of the hearing. The vehicle used will be placed under alarm status to prevent any transaction involving it until the investigation is completed.

“Kung hindi sila makakapunta o hindi makakapagbigay ng paliwanag sa nakatakdang araw, ituturing itong pagbabalewala sa kanilang karapatan na ipagtanggol ang kanilang sarili, at magpapatuloy ang imbestigasyon batay sa mga available na dokumento,” the LTO said.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said the agency condemned such actions on public roads, as they put the public at risk of accidents.

“Hindi tayo papayag na magkaroon ng mga indibidwal na gumagawa ng mga walang-ingat at ilegal na gawain sa kalsada na maaaring magdulot ng aksidente at ilagay sa panganib ang buhay ng iba. Ang insidenteng ito ay isang malinaw na halimbawa ng mga paglabag na kailangang pigilan at parusahan,” Lacanilao said.

“Hinihikayat ko ang lahat ng mga motorista na sumunod sa mga batas trapiko at igalang ang kaligtasan ng lahat. Ang LTO ay patuloy na magpapatupad ng mga batas na ito nang walang kinikilingan upang tiyakin na ligtas ang ating mga kalsada para sa lahat,” he added.