LTO-6 gives sports car driver more time to answer show cause order

By: Jennifer P. Rendon 

THE Land Transportation Office (LTO)-6 gave more time to the driver of a sports car that killed two public school teachers to answer the show cause order the agency issued a week ago.

June Paul Valencia asked for a 15-day extension to formally justify why his driving license should not be revoked.

Valencia was the driver of a Mazda MX5 that bumped and killed Joe Marie Osano, principal of La Paz 2 Elementary School; and his wife Alnie Dinah Osano, a teacher of Ticud Elementary School in La Paz.

LTO-6 served the show cause order against Valencia on June 18 at his house in Villa Perla Subdivision, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

The show cause order also compelled him to report within five days from the day he received the order.

But in a letter dated June 19, Valencia asked for “a 15-day extension within which to file answer or explanation in view of that he is still in a stage of mental confusion.”

Riza Otayde, LTO-6 spokesperson, said the LTO-6 Operations Division granted Valencia’s request out of humanitarian consideration.

Otayde said the extension is in effect from June 24 to July 8.

Valencia’s explanation will determine if the agency will permanently revoke his license, following its three-month suspension.

LTO-6 Director Roland Ramos has also initiated an automatic probe to find out if Valencia was into reckless driving.

The 32-year-old Valencia used to have an international driver’s license but applied for a Philippine driver’s license sometime in 2016.

He is out on bail hours after he sideswiped and killed the Osanos.