LTO summons PUJ driver for reckless driving in Antipolo City

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a show cause order (SCO) against the driver of a public utility jeepney (PUJ) for alleged reckless driving along the Marcos Highway in Antipolo City and allowing too many passengers to stand on the step board of the jeepney.

In a statement on Sunday, the LTO said it also imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on the driver’s license of the PUJ driver, whose actions went viral on social media.

“Ang mga insidenteng tulad nito ay hindi lamang labag sa batas kundi nagdudulot din ng malaking panganib sa buhay ng mga pasahero at lahat ng gumagamit ng kalsada. Kasama na rin dito ang pagpapahintulot sa mga pasahero na makasabit o tumayo sa labas ng sasakyan – isang paglabag na laging nagdudulot ng banta sa kaligtasan,” said LTO chief and Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao.

(Incidents like this are not just against the law, but also pose a great danger to passengers’ lives and all road users. This includes allowing passengers to hang on or stand outside the vehicle – a violation that always poses a threat to safety.)

“Ang LTO ay determinadong tiyakin na lahat ng mga operator at driver ng pampublikong sasakyan ay sumusunod sa mga regulasyon at inaalagaan ang kaligtasan ng kanilang mga sakay,” he added.

(The LTO is determined to see to it that all operators and drivers of public vehicles follow regulations and ensure the safety of their passengers.)

In issuing the SCO, the LTO cited a viral video which showed the PUJ with four passengers standing on the step board at the jeepney’s rear.

“Idinagdag pa rito, ang driver ay nagsagawa ng agresibong pagpapalit ng linya ng kalsada at muntik pang makasagi ng ibang sasakyan,” it said.

(Aside from this, the driver was aggressively changing lanes and almost hit other vehicles.)

The SCO summoned the PUJ driver to present himself before the LTO – Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) on Jan. 8, 2026 at the LETAS Building along East Avenue in Quezon City.

The PUJ driver was told to submit a sworn explanation as to why he should not be held accountable for reckless driving, allowing passengers to stand on the jeepney step board, and being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.

The LTO added that the owner of the PUJ may be also held liable for alleged improper supervision of the driver and the jeepney.

Meanwhile, the PUJ was placed under an LTO alarm during the investigation of the complaint.

Should the PUJ driver and owner fail to appear and submit their explanation, the LTO said this will mean that the respondents are waiving their right to explain their side and that the case will be resolved based on the evidence at hand.

Lacanilao added that the agency’s enforcement of traffic laws and regulations are not just aimed at imposing sanctions but are meant to ensure the safety of all road users. — JMA, GMA Integrated News