The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has ordered a 90-day preventive suspension on the license of a driver seen in a viral video holding a child on his lap while controlling to steer the wheel.
In a Facebook post on Friday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) shared that the LTO issued a show-cause order to the driver, after a video surfaced online “show(ing) a man with a child on his lap controlling the steering wheel while driving inside a parking lot of Ayala Malls Manila Bay on August 12."
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has warned the public that it is strictly prohibited for children to drive.
“Hindi mo pwedeng pagmanehuhin ‘yung bata mong anak na walang student permit, tapos musmos pa. Kabilin-bilinan ng Pangulo, sumunod na lang tayo sa batas, dahil baka hindi lang license suspension ang abutin mo, pwedeng makulong ka pa,” DOTr Chief said.
According to the order, the driver is required to appear before the LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
The LTO also ordered the driver to submit a written explanation as to why he should not be charged with reckless driving under Republic Act 4136 and for children in rear seats (Republic Act 11229).
Moreover, he was also required to explain why his "license should not be revoked or suspended for being an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle (Sec. 27 of R.A. 4136)."
Due to the seriousness of the violation, aside from the suspension, the vehicle of the driver also placed under alarm status, and he has been ordered to surrender his license to the LTO before the scheduled hearing date.
"Failure to appear and submit a written comment/explanation as required shall be construed by this Office as a waiver of your right to be heard, and the case shall be decided based on the evidence at hand," LTO stressed.
