For drivers who have legitimately obtained their licenses, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) makes one thing clear during seminars: driving is a privilege, not a right. This means the government has the authority to revoke that privilege at any time if a motorist is found unfit to drive.

Such is the case now facing a driver who took matters into his own hands by deliberately ramming a student riding a scooter, after the latter allegedly sideswiped his vehicle and attempted to flee.

Acting Transportation Secretary, Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez, has ordered the cancellation of the driver’s license of the motorist involved in the road rage incident in Teresa, Rizal, where a student riding a scooter was deliberately rammed.

The directive follows the President’s instruction to hold irresponsible drivers accountable for actions that endanger the lives of other road users.

A viral video circulating on social media shows the driver intentionally ramming the student’s scooter after reportedly being sideswiped. Sec. Lopez immediately directed the LTO to locate the driver and impose a lifetime revocation of his license.

“Yang driver na ‘yan, walang karapatan magmaneho sa kalsada. Sabihin na nating totoo mang nasagi ‘yung kanyang sasakyan. Tama bang habulin at bundulin mo ‘yung bata?” said Lopez. “No amount of explanation can justify his actions. Mas may edad siya eh, dapat alam niya kung ano ang tama,” he added.

(That driver has no right to drive on the road. Let’s say his car was actually hit. Is it right for you to chase and hit the kid?)

Secretary Lopez also said he intends to personally speak with the student’s family and assured them that the agency is ready to provide legal assistance in filing charges against the driver.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) regarding the incident, while the LTO is expected to issue a show-cause order against the driver within the day.