DOTr Calls for Motorists to Obey Traffic Rules
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has urged all motorists to obey traffic rules as it revealed that more than 2,000 show cause orders were issued and 420 driver’s licenses revoked in just the last six months. This marks the highest number of license suspensions in the history of the DOTr and the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon emphasized, “What the government is asking for is simple: Follow the law. Why are we doing this? Because we are protecting the safety of our citizens on the road. Motorists, pedestrians [and] commuters.” He warned that drivers who fail to comply could face temporary or permanent license revocation.
Record High Show Cause Orders Issued
According to LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II, 1,100 show cause orders were issued last year, mostly resulting in license suspensions or revocations. However, in the first half of 2025 alone, the number has already surpassed 2,000.
“I think we might reach 5,000 with the rate we’re going,” Mendoza said during the briefing. He stressed that the root cause remains the lack of discipline on the road. “There’s no sense to our traffic rules if we continue to lack discipline,” he added.
Fixers and Systemic Issues Fuel Violations
Dizon also pointed out the problem of “fixers” enabling some individuals to bypass required driver exams by paying bribes. He explained that this loophole contributes to the high number of traffic violations.
“Part of what needs to be fixed is the system of getting a driver’s license. It should not be too easy. The problem is, just like what the President said, we need to make it easier, but we should also be strict,” the transportation chief said. He revealed that some pay up to P5,000 to avoid exams and practical tests.
Online License Renewal to Combat Fixers
To address this, the DOTr has launched an Online Driver’s License Renewal System via the government’s eGovPH app. This allows motorists to renew their licenses without visiting LTO offices, reducing opportunities for fixers to operate.
Strengthening Law Enforcement to Improve Discipline
Dizon highlighted that the country’s main challenge is enforcement, not the lack of traffic laws. “Our problem in our country, usually, is not that we lack laws or regulations. We lack enforcement,” he said, underlining how past leniency encouraged erring drivers.
“I think once our citizens understand that there are consequences in violating the law, slowly we will all become disciplined,” he added.
Plans to Increase Penalties and Publicize Violations
In response to the rising violations, the DOTr is studying whether to increase penalties for erring drivers. The agency is also considering publishing a weekly list of traffic violators under a “Wag Niyong Tularan” (Do Not Imitate) campaign to shame offenders and encourage compliance.
“We have a plan to publish a list every week, we would probably call it ‘Wag Niyong Tularan’ list [that includes] names of drivers… We are studying it now so they will learn. If they are not afraid of charges, of fines, maybe with this they will be ashamed. We are studying it now and I am serious about it,” Dizon said.
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