LTO suspends license of Eat Bulaga!'s Ian Red for seatbelt, reckless driving violations

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a show cause order (SCO) against “Eat Bulaga!” host Ian Red after a viral video allegedly showed him driving an SUV without a seatbelt and engaging in other potentially unsafe driving practices.

The LTO also imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on Red’s driver’s license while its investigation continues.

In a statement on Tuesday, September 22, the LTO said it issued the SCO against the registered owner and driver of an SUV after receiving a viral video showing several people recording themselves singing inside a moving vehicle.

Although the agency did not name the TV personality in its news release, some netizens identified the driver as Red. 

The photo cited by the LTO was identified by social media users as a clip posted by the actress and “Eat Bulaga!” host Maine Mendoza on Facebook on Sept. 19. Fellow host Miles Ocampo later reposted it.

The video shows Mendoza, Ocampo, Ryzza Mae Dizon and Red inside an SUV as they sing along to Cueshé’s “Ulan.” Mendoza captioned the post “Senti Sabado,” referring to their jam session featuring nostalgic hits.

Mendoza was seated in the front passenger seat and was wearing a seatbelt as she recorded the group. Ocampo and Dizon were in the back, while Red was driving.

During the video, Red was not wearing a seatbelt. The comedian, actor and host also occasionally took a hand off the steering wheel while singing and was briefly seen driving hands-free.

The LTO also noted that, toward the end of the video, the driver appeared to get out of the vehicle while it was on the road. The agency said the vehicle’s door was left open before the driver got back inside.

The footage drew attention from social media users, some of whom pointed out the apparent seatbelt violation. The LTO is also investigating the driver's actions for possible reckless driving.

“Walang masama sa pag-content at pagsasaya sa loob ng sasakyan, pero hindi kailanman dapat isantabi ang kaligtasan para dito. Bilang lisensyadong drayber, alam niya ang kanyang responsibilidad na magsuot ng seatbelt, manatiling nakatuon sa pagmamaneho, at sumunod sa iba pang umiiral na batas-trapiko,” LTO Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao said.

“Kapag may paglabag, maaasahan ang LTO na kikilos nang walang pinipili at walang pinapalampas,” Lacanilao added.

Under the SCO, the registered owner and driver of the SUV were ordered to appear before the LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) on Sept. 29 for a hearing.

The driver must also submit a sworn statement or explanation, along with any documents that may support his side, in response to the possible violations of failing to wear the prescribed seatbelt device and reckless driving.

The LTO will also look into the possible declaration of the driver as an “Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle,” which could result in the suspension or revocation of his driver’s license.

As part of the preventive suspension, the driver was ordered to surrender his license to the LTO. Both the license and the vehicle were also placed under alarm status while the investigation continues.

The LTO reminded all motorists to comply with existing traffic laws, emphasizing that following these rules is part of the responsibility that comes with the privilege of driving.