Social media users called the attention of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) after videos circulated online showing a minor driving a vehicle.
The Facebook page “KABULASTUGAN” reshared a Reel showing a young boy driving a vehicle, originally posted by a user who filmed her son behind the wheel with the caption, “Tinatamad ako mag-drive” (I’m too lazy to drive).
The user also included emojis of a face-with-hand-over-mouth and a smiling face.
“KABULASTUGAN” reshared the video and tagged the account of the LTO in the caption.
The clip showed the boy driving in a residential area with his mom in the front passenger seat.
In the comments section, the Facebook account also shared a video posted on Reddit showing the boy driving on a public road.
“Irresponsible parenting. Should be reported to both LTO and DSWD. That’s straight up child endangerment,” a Reddit user wrote.
Filipinos expressed their dismay over the videos, with some tagging the accounts of the LTO and its parent agency, the Department of Transportation, to call their attention to the incident.
“[Gising] #LTO #vincedozon, sinusubok kayo, ohh,” a Facebook user wrote, referring to Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon.
“Walang iyakan kapag natanggal lisensya, ha! [Masyado] ka kampante sa anak mo, kahit pa katabi mo anak mo sa pagda-drive, hindi [pa din] tama ‘yang ginagawa mo!” another commented.
“Wala pa sa tamang edad ‘yan para ipag-drive mo agad. Hindi ka yata nag aral sa LTO eh. Nagpa-fixer ka lang… [masyado] ka pa proud sa ginawa mo,” the online user added.
“Tanggalan dapat magulang [niyan] ng lisensya #landtransportationoffice,” another Pinoy commented.
“Paano accountability niyan ‘pag naka-aksidente?” a different Facebook user asked.
In the comments section of the video itself, the Facebook user said that all of her children “know how to drive.”
“Bukid po [kasi] dito sa’min, kaya natututo [sila] mag-drive. Kambing at baka [lang] po sakali masasagasaan nila… pero sa awa ng diyos, wala pa naman [sila] nasasagasaan dito na hayop,” she answered with smiling emojis.
Her account contains more Facebook Reels of her son driving their vehicles, including an owner-type jeep.
In one instance, her son is seen operating the jeep without any companions.
“Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ako sa’yo or matatakot,” she wrote.
According to the Republic Act 4126, also known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, “no person shall operate any motor vehicle without first procuring a license to drive a motor vehicle for the current year, nor while such license is delinquent, invalid, suspended or revoked.”
Driving a vehicle without a driver’s license entails a penalty fee of P300.
In the Philippines, aspiring drivers must first secure a Student Permit before acquiring a legitimate Driver’s License. The permit can be obtained by a Filipino who is at least 16 years old. It is valid for one year.
After this, the individual may now apply for a Non-Professional Driver’s License, which is usually obtained by individuals who drive private vehicles. They must be at least 17 years old.
LTO-6 Regional Director Gaudioso Geduspan also said that parents or guardians of minors driving vehicles have criminal liability under Presidential Decree Number 603 or the Child and Youth Welfare Code.
“Article 59 states that crimes or criminal liability shall attach to any parent who: (No. 12) Allows or requires the child to drive without a license or with a license which the parent knows to have been illegally procured,” part of it reads.
“If the motor vehicle driven by the child belongs to the parent, it shall be presumed that he permitted or ordered the child to drive,” the code added.
