BINI's Mikha Lim surrenders driver's license to LTO, apologizes over cellphone use while driving

BINI member Mikha Lim has surrendered her driver's license to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) after she was issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) over alleged cellphone use while driving.

According to Dano Tingcungco’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the P-pop star personally went to the LTO Central Office on Wednesday, November 11, accompanied by her manager, to surrender her license, which was placed under a 90-day preventive suspension pending investigation.

Per LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao, the agency received reports and complaints about Mikha's livestream, which showed her using her cellphone while driving.

In the video, the singer was seen recording herself behind the wheel when her cellphone fell. Instead of stopping at a safe location, she allegedly bent down to retrieve the device from underneath the vehicle.

She was also seen holding the cellphone with both hands while driving.

The LTO subsequently issued a Show Cause Order requiring Mikha to explain her actions, which may constitute violations of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act, reckless driving, and being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.

Lacanilao said Mikha and her manager voluntarily appeared at the agency earlier than her scheduled November 20 hearing and surrendered her driver's license.

“They acknowledged their mistake and voluntarily came to the LTO to discuss the matter. We also served them with the Show Cause Order, explained the violations, and they surrendered the driver's license,” he said in Filipino.

(Nakita nila 'yung pagkakamali so boluntaryo sila na nagpunta dito sa LTO para makipag-usap at nasilbi na rin namin ‘yung show cause order nila at pinaliwanag sa kaniya 'yung kaniyang violation at sinurrender din niya 'yung kaniyang driver's license).

Mikha did not grant an interview to the media during her visit but the LTO said the singer apologized for her actions.

“She was very apologetic. She acknowledged her mistake, recognizing that driving while recording a video was wrong and that she knew it was strictly prohibited,” Lacanilao said.

(Very apologetic naman siya. Tinanggap niya ang pagkakamali niya dahil mali na nagmaneho siya na nagvi-video na alam naman nating bawal na bawal).

He underscored that the agency would treat her case fairly, regardless of her celebrity status or the fact that she appeared before the LTO ahead of schedule.

“We treat everyone equally. It doesn’t matter whether someone is famous or arrived earlier. We only apply the penalties stipulated in the rules for the specific violation. But what’s good about this is that they voluntarily came forward, which is already a big deal,” Lacanilao said.

(Sa amin, pantay-pantay. Di porket sikat or mas nauna silang pumunta kaya kung ano lang nakalagay sa rules na magiging violation 'yun lang naman din ang ma-a-apply. Pero ang kagandahan dito ay malaking bagay na boluntaryo 'yung pagharap nila).

Among the possible penalties under the Anti-Distracted Driving Act are fines of P5,000 for the first offense. This may also result in a P20,000 fine and revocation of driver's license on the fourth offense.

Earlier, LTO issued a showcase order against an unnamed member of a popular P-pop girl group over alleged cellphone use while driving.

In a statement, LTO said it launched an investigation after receiving a video showing the female personality recording herself while driving when her cellphone fell.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that the law is enforced fairly and without bias, regardless of a person's status or popularity. Whether famous or not, everyone is expected to follow traffic laws, and if a violation is established, the LTO will impose the appropriate penalties,” Lacanilao said.

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA News