The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has permanently revoked the license of a UV Express driver who plowed into 14 motorbikes along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Friday, killing a motorist.
LTO Chief Markus Lacanilao on Saturday signed the perpetual license disqualification of the driver, who was identified as Ruel Dela Cerna, 51.
Earlier, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez emphasized that the agency will ensure that the UV Express driver will ‘never be able to drive again.’
‘The President has repeatedly said that our roads and motorists must be safe from such irresponsible and abusive drivers,’ Lopez said in Filipino.
‘We at the DOTr extend our heartfelt condolences to one of the victims who has passed away,’ he added.
According to the DOTr, the investigation of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and LTO found that the UV Express driver named Ruel Flores Dela Cerna used an illegal drug on Thursday evening, hours before the incident took place.
The QCPD on Friday said the driver ‘lost control of his vehicle.’
Thirteen other motorists reportedly suffered injuries from the incident, aside from the victim who died.
The UV Express driver is already under the Quezon City Police District’s custody and facing multiple charges, the DOTr said.
Lopez instructed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to strictly implement Department Order 2025-008, which requires public transport operators to subject their drivers to mandatory drug testing, and expedite the completion of its Implementing Rules and Regulations.
The LTFRB was also directed to look into possible compensation of victims through the insurance company of UV Express, which is a public utility vehicle.