Carabuena keeps driver’s license – LTO

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has ruled that it will not revoke the driver’s license of Robert Blair Carabuena, who was caught on video slapping and verbally assaulting a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcer in August 2012.

The MMDA said it received a copy of the LTO’s seven-page decision, dated Jan. 9, yesterday. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino expressed dismay over the ruling.

In the decision, the LTO found that Carabuena did not violate Section 21 of the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, an offense that involves  “operating or using a motor vehicle in, or as an accessory to, the commission of any crime or at which endangers the public” and would merit a revocation of his license.

The LTO recommended that Carabuena be charged with “disregarding traffic signs/disregarding traffic officer,” which carry a fine ranging from P300 to P1,000.

Tolentino, however, objected to the ruling and said the MMDA will file a motion asking the LTO to reconsider its decision.

“Mr. Carabuena’s action was not only a crime, but a clear and blatant disregard for authority. People like him with that kind of temper and behavior should not be allowed to drive along our roads because he is a danger not only to our enforcers, but to other motorists as well. This is not simply disregarding a traffic officer,” he said.

“A mere issuance of warning is not enough for Mr. Carabuena and we still believe that his driver’s license should be revoked,” Tolentino added.

Carabuena was caught on video as he slapped MMDA traffic enforcer Saturnino Fabros on Aug. 11, 2012 at the Tandang Sora–Capitol Hills intersection. The video later went viral on the Internet.

Following the incident, the MMDA requested the LTO to have Carabuena’s driver’s license revoked. Carabuena later appeared at the MMDA and apologized.