Wang-wang Serye: Driver gets perpetual disqualification, SUV impounded

Last week, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Internal Audit and Special Concerns, Ricky Alfonso, found himself in bad light after his vehicle was involved in a road altercation that quickly went viral online. The video shows one of his security detail engaged in a heated confrontation with another motorist, while Alfonso’s SUV was seen bearing a “10” protocol plate and equipped with unauthorized wang-wang (blinkers and sirens).

This specific plate designation is reserved exclusively for justices of the Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, the Sandiganbayan, and the Office of the Solicitor General. Usec. Alfonso, however, holds none of these positions.

Meanwhile, the blinkers and sirens directly violate the President’s Administrative Order No. 18, which reaffirms Presidential Decree No. 96.

Yesterday, the driver surrendered to the newly appointed Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief, Markus Lacanilao, bringing with him the Lexus LX570 SUV involved in the incident, at the agency’s headquarters along East Avenue in Quezon City.

According to LTO, its new chief has permanently revoked the license of the Lexus SUV driver involved in the viral road rage incident, after admitting to the unauthorized use of a blinker and defying traffic rules. The sanction carries a perpetual disqualification, effectively banning the driver from operating any motor vehicle for life.

The SUV, which bore the protocol plate number “10,” has also been impounded by the LTO.

During the LTO hearing, the SUV driver surrendered his license along with the vehicle’s unauthorized accessories, including the blinker and siren, but failed to turn over the protocol plate “10.” This failure on the part of Usec. Alfonso, and his driver/bodyguard to surrender the unauthorized protocol plate has irked the LTO Chief.

“Nakakainis kasi siga-siga sa video pero hindi niya masabi kung nasaan na ‘yung plate ‘10.’ Kaya ang recommendation ko: revocation ng license, impound ‘yung vehicle,” said Lacanilao.

(It’s frustrating because he was acting so tough in the video, but couldn’t even say where the ‘10’ plate is. That’s why my recommendation is to revoke his license and impound the vehicle.)

DOTr Usec. on “indefinite leave”

Following this incident, Acting Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez confirmed that Usec. Ricky Alfonso, who was on board the SUV during the incident, has filed an indefinite leave of absence pending investigation.

“Si Usec. Alfonso po ay naka-indefinite leave na habang ongoing ang investigation. Ang layunin nito ay upang hindi siya makaimpluwensya sa proseso. Sa DOTr naman po, gumugulong na rin ang administrative case laban sa kanya,” Lopez stated.

(Usec. Alfonso is on indefinite leave while the investigation is ongoing. The purpose of this is so that he cannot influence the process. At the DOTr, an administrative case against him is also rolling.)

The LTO reiterated that no one is above the law, and any misuse of government plates, blinkers, or sirens will be met with the full weight of administrative and criminal penalties.