LTO revokes lawyer’s license over identity discrepancies

By Gerome Dalipe

Land Transportation Office chief Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao has upheld LTO Region 6’s recommendation to permanently revoke the driver’s license of lawyer Jose Gelacio Lira following an administrative investigation into multiple violations of transportation laws and regulations.

In a two-page order dated July 16, Lacanilao affirmed the findings of the LTO-6 Intelligence and Investigation Unit.

He ruled that the regional office’s resolution was supported by substantial evidence and consistent with existing laws, rules and regulations.

The case stemmed from a routine roadside inspection conducted by the Regional Law Enforcement Section in Iloilo City at about 6 p.m. on May 5, 2026.

LTO-6-deputized law enforcers flagged down the vehicle after noticing that a passenger was not wearing a seat belt while it was moving.

During the inspection, officers discovered that the vehicle’s registration had expired in February 2026.

Lira argued that a presidential directive had extended the validity of motor vehicle registrations and maintained that his vehicle was covered by the extension.

However, LTO-6 clarified that Memorandum Circular No. MVI-2026-5048 applied only to registrations scheduled to expire beginning in April 2026.

Since the vehicle’s registration had expired two months earlier, it did not qualify for the extension.

According to the incident report, Lira became visibly agitated before the officers could fully explain the memorandum.

He allegedly told the apprehending officers not to “lecture” him because he was a lawyer.

As tensions rose, the team leader intervened to explain the applicable rules and calm the situation.

Despite the clarification, Lira continued to dispute the violation.

He repeatedly demanded the officers’ identities and warned that he would file charges against them if no violation was ultimately established.

Members of the enforcement team described his remarks as disrespectful, demeaning and intimidating.

The LTO-6 law enforcers remained professional throughout the encounter, calmly explaining the applicable laws and performing their duties with restraint.

After reviewing the evidence, the LTO-6 Intelligence and Investigation Unit found prima facie violations of Sections 5 and 19 of Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

Investigators concluded that Lira had operated a vehicle with an expired registration and incorrectly relied on the memorandum extending registration validity.

The investigation found that the vehicle’s registration had expired before the period covered by the circular.

Investigators also found that Lira renewed the vehicle’s registration two days after the incident.

According to the regional office, the renewal contradicted his earlier claim that the extension already covered his vehicle.

The resolution said that if Lira had genuinely believed the memorandum applied, there would have been no reason to immediately renew the registration after his apprehension.

Further verification by the Iloilo City Licensing Center uncovered discrepancies involving Lira’s driver’s license records.

Investigators found no driver’s license issued under his legal name.

Instead, the LTO-6 Intelligence and Investigation Unit discovered multiple client records containing different birth dates and addresses.

Four separate client identification numbers were registered under his legal name.

Investigators also identified another driver’s license profile under a different name.

The regional office concluded that the inconsistencies went beyond a simple clerical error.

It said the findings strongly indicated the deliberate use of multiple identities to circumvent the LTO’s record-keeping and accountability systems.

Based on the findings, LTO Region 6 recommended the permanent revocation of the driver’s license issued under the different name.

It also recommended permanently disqualifying Lira from obtaining another driver’s license under his legal name.

The regional office further recommended placing both identities on the agency’s alarm list.

LTO-6 said the circumstances were aggravated by the fact that Lira is a lawyer and a member of the legal profession who is expected to uphold and respect the law.

In affirming the recommendation, Lacanilao found no reason to overturn the factual findings or legal conclusions reached by LTO Region 6.

He ruled that the regional office’s decision was supported by substantial evidence.

The evidence included incident reports, temporary operator’s permits, certifications from the Iloilo City District Office and Iloilo City Licensing Center, and Lira’s pleadings and documentary submissions.

Lacanilao also emphasized that Republic Act 4136 and its implementing rules and regulations authorize the LTO to regulate the issuance, suspension and revocation of driver’s licenses.

The agency may also investigate violations of transportation laws and adopt the findings and recommendations of its regional offices when supported by substantial evidence and issued in accordance with the law.