LTO calls out gov't agency for its SUV that used improvised red plate

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has called out an unnamed government agency over a sports utility vehicle (SUV) registered under the agency that allegedly used an improvised red license plate.

In a statement, the LTO said it issued a show cause order (SCO) against the government agency and the designated driver of the SUV.

The agency’s representative and the driver were told to appear before the Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) on May 13 at 2 p.m.

They should submit a written, sworn explanation on why they should not be held accountable for the use of unauthorized improvised plate and for compulsory registration.

The LTO found that the SUV was last registered on April 11, 2025.

The agency cited a viral photo of the SUV which showed an improvised red plate on its rear portion. It added that the SUV was verified to have been registered under the agency’s name.

A red license plate signifies that a vehicle is government-owned and should be used for official business only. Vehicles with red plates are exempted from the number-coding scheme in Metro Manila.

The LTO placed the vehicle under an LTO alarm. The designated driver should surrender his driver’s license, which will be preventively suspended for 90 days.

The driver will be asked to answer to charges of reckless driving and being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle, the agency added.

“Walang sinuman – maging pribadong indibidwal man o ahensya ng gobyerno ang exempted sa pagpapatupad ng batas trapiko at mga regulasyon ng LTO. Ang sinumang mapatunayang lumalabag ay papatawan ng kaukulang parusa,” said LTO chief and Transportation Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao.

(No one – may it be a private individual or a government agency is exempted from the enforcement of traffic rules and LTO regulations. Anyone proven to have committed violations will be sanctioned accordingly.)

“Ang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan ay dapat na magsilbing mabuting halimbawa sa pagsunod at pagpapatupad ng batas,” he added.

(Government agencies should serve as an example in following and enforcing the law.)

Should the respondents fail to appear on the day of the hearing and submit their sworn explanation, the LTO shall decide on the complaint based on the evidence it has gathered. — JMA, GMA News