LTO issues show cause order to QC councilor seen riding motorcycle without helmet

MANILA — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) against a Quezon City councilor who was seen riding a three-wheeled motorcycle without wearing a standard protective helmet on a public road.

The action was ordered by LTO chief Markus Lacanilao following a video that reached the agency showing the local official participating in a community patrol alongside barangay officials in Quezon City without helmet protection.

In response to the incident, Lacanilao ordered the issuance of the SCO to both the registered owner and the rider of the vehicle.

“Nakasaad sa SCO na kailangan nilang humarap sa tanggapan ng Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) sa Oktubre 22, 2026, upang magsumite ng kanilang sinumpaang salaysay o paliwanag at mga dokumentong susuporta sa kanilang panig kaugnay ng alegasyon,” the LTO said in a statement.

The rider faces potential violations of the Mandatory Use of Motorcycle Helmets Act for failing to wear a standard protective helmet while traveling along a public road.

“Maaari ring masuspinde o mabawi ang kanyang lisensya kung mapatutunayang kuwalipikado siyang ideklarang Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle, alinsunod sa umiiral na batas at proseso,” the agency added.

The rider is expected to surrender his driver’s license to the IID for a 90-day suspension, while the three-wheeled motorcycle involved in the incident has already been placed under alarm status.

Lacanilao stressed that holding a public role or performing community duties does not exempt anyone from road safety mandates.

“Ang pagroronda para mapanatili ang kaayusan ng komunidad ay hindi dahilan para balewalain ang batas-trapiko. Anuman ang tungkulin sa kalsada, kailangang magsuot ng helmet at sumunod sa mga patakaran para sa sariling kaligtasan,” Lacanilao said in the statement.

The agency highlighted that compliance with traffic laws remains an obligation for all road users, including officials carrying out community peacekeeping tasks.

“Hinihikayat ang publiko na iulat sa ahensya ang mga nakikitang paglabag upang mabigyan ng kaukulang aksyon.”