Revocation of license possible for driver in viral road rage after snubbing show-cause order
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 1) — After missing his show-cause order (SCO) hearing, the Land Transportation Office's (LTO) said the possible maximum penalty for the viral ex-policeman who hit and drew a gun on a cyclist in Quezon City is permanent revocation of his license.
The LTO said the driver, Wilfredo Gonzales, "did not appear in the hearing" and instead sent his son to surrender his license for the 90-day preventive suspension issued against him earlier this week.
"The maximum penalty for cases leveled against Gonzales by the agency is permanent revocation of his driver's license," the LTO said Friday.
According to the SCO received by Gonzales, failure to submit a notarized affidavit would mean waiving his right to contradict allegations against him.
"Mr. Gonzales did not submit an affidavit so we take it as a waiver on his part for us to decide on the matter based on the pieces of evidence we have," said LTO-NCR Acting Assistant Regional Director Hanzley Lim.
The order covers a demand from Gonzales to explain why he should not be penalized for his violations under the Republic Act 4136, which include reckless driving, obstruction of traffic, and improper person to operate a motor vehicle.
"With the absence of the notarized affidavit, these cases were already submitted for resolution and whatever the results, they will be submitted to the office of our LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II, for approval," said Lim.
The LTO chief earlier directed the LTO-NCR to expedite the resolution of the case but without compromising the right of Gonzales to due process.
Meanwhile, Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said the Senate might issue a subpoena against the former police officer if he would also not attend the upper chamber's inquiry into the incident on Sept. 5.
READ: Senate eyes hearing on QC road rage incident next week
"Ipa-subpoena natin siya, hindi siya magsipot. Kung hindi siya sumipot pa rin sa subpoena, pwede natin siyang ipa-aresto sa seargeant at arms natin," he noted.
[Translation: We will issue a subpoena if he does not show up. If he is still a no-show after the subpoena order, our sergeant at arms can arrest him.]
The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier confiscated three more guns from Gonzales, who was confirmed to have worked for Supreme Court Associate Justice Ricardo Rosario.
Gonzales was also previously dismissed by the PNP on two different occasions due to grave misconduct.
