City Hall lawyer challenges LTO-6  over due process, seat belt rap

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

An Iloilo City government lawyer has challenged a show cause order issued by the Land Transportation Office Region 6 (LTO-6), accusing the agency of violating his right to due process through procedural lapses and what he described as “pre-trial publicity.”

Jose Gelacio Lira of the Iloilo City Legal Office faces several alleged violations, including operating an unregistered motor vehicle, failing to wear seat belts, and being an “improper person” to operate a vehicle due to alleged disrespectful behavior toward traffic enforcers.

The show cause order stemmed from a May 5 traffic stop in Jaro District, where LTO field enforcers flagged down Lira’s vehicle after allegedly seeing one of his passengers not wearing a seat belt while the vehicle was in motion.

In his sworn explanation, Lira argued that the agency prematurely publicized the accusations before allowing him to respond.

The lawyer cited blind items written by Nereo Lujan, head of the Public Information and Community Affairs Office of the Iloilo provincial government and a known critic of the current city administration, that referenced his pending matter before the agency.

He also pointed to news reports in which LTO-6 Regional Director Gaudioso Geduspan confirmed the allegations against Lira and the show cause order issued by his office.

“Clearly, a pre-trial publicity appears to [have] been intended. Your office had announced the charges before I, the respondent, [could] explain my side, in the spirit of due process, which potentially damaged my reputation, as an individual and as a lawyer,” he said.

“You even drag the Office where I worked, which is uncalled for, labelling me as disrespectful and threatening among other adjectives,” he added.

Lira further questioned the validity of the proceedings, claiming that the agency failed to follow its own procedures.

“There is no due process and your office did not observe proper official protocol in issuing a Show Cause Order without attaching citation ticket or Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) as required by your procedure,” he said.

Lira also claimed that no affidavit of service was executed to establish that he had refused to receive a ticket during the roadside inspection.

On the allegation that his vehicle was unregistered, Lira maintained that its registration was “on process” at the time of the incident.

He said he attached an official receipt dated May 7, 2026, and argued that the LTO’s claim that the vehicle had “no records” in its information system was an internal administrative concern that should not be attributed to him.

Lira also disputed the alleged seat belt violation, questioning how an enforcer could have determined whether a passenger was wearing a seat belt at about 6:30 p.m., noting that the vehicle had heavily tinted windows.

He likewise denied that his driver’s license had expired, asserting that it carries a 10-year validity period and remains valid until December 2033.

Lira also challenged the reckless driving allegation, saying it appeared only in a subsequently issued TOP and was not raised during the initial apprehension.

The lawyer further disputed claims that he behaved in a disrespectful, threatening, and demeaning manner toward enforcement officers.

Lira denied that any altercation took place and criticized the LTO enforcer involved for allegedly failing to wear proper identification or a standard uniform, claiming the officer wore only a T-shirt bearing the LTO logo.

He has requested that LTO-6 conduct a formal administrative hearing, saying it is necessary to fully address the allegations, which could result in the suspension or revocation of his driver’s license and potentially expose him to further legal consequences.

A show cause order is a directive requiring a respondent to explain why administrative or disciplinary action should not be taken before any penalty is imposed.

Under Republic Act No. 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, the LTO has the authority to issue show cause orders and conduct administrative proceedings involving traffic violations and the possible suspension or revocation of driver’s licenses.