Following a viral video showing a Hilux driver involved in a road rage incident—later identified as the brother of comedian Marietta “Pokwang” Subong—House Committee on Public Accounts and Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon praised the swift action of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in suspending the driver’s license.
The video shows the driver striking a man who was pushing a cart in front of his small child. The Hilux driver then fled the scene, while the child can be seen crying in the footage.
The LTO announced that the suspect, identified as Carlo Subong, was issued a 90-day preventive suspension along with a show-cause order requiring him to explain why his license should not be revoked.
“Salamat sa Land Transportation Office – Philippines sa mabilis na aksyon sa road rage incident ni Carlo Subong,” Ridon said in a social media post.
(“Thank you to the Land Transportation Office – Philippines for swift action on the road rage incident of Carlo Subong.”)
Ridon also recommended further actions, including lifetime revocation of the driver’s LTO license, filing of criminal charges for physical assault and grave threats, and impounding of Subong’s Toyota Hilux.
Pokwang confirmed that the driver is her brother and apologized to the man and his daughter, promising a personal visit.
“Humihingi ako ng paumanhin. Sa mga taong nakasagupa niya, lalo na sa anak, patawad po, mahal. Bibisitahin ko po kayo, ha? Maghintay lang, pupunta ang Tita niyo Pokwang. Patawarin niyo po ako,” she said.
(“I am apologizing. For the people he confronted, especially the daughter, I am sorry, my dear. I will visit you, okay? Just wait, your Auntie Pokwang will go there. Please forgive me.”)
She also cautioned against targeting her family online.
“Alam ko taga-Bicol ka. Ingat ka lang, kasi ikaw ay mambabatas, dapat alam mo na may tinatawag tayong cyberbullying at cyberlibel,” she said.
(“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.”)
Ridon emphasized that holding drivers accountable for abuse is as important as addressing corruption.
“Kung mag-a-apologize ka, mag-apologize ka na lang, at gumawa ng hakbang para managot sa sarili. Ang kapal ng mukha, ang physical assault (paghampas sa ulo), at ang pagmumura sa solo parent na nagtatulak ng kariton ang isyu, huwag nating ilihis ang atensyon,” he said.
(“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.”)