Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) is looking at the possibility of filing a criminal liability against an actress and former beauty queen who deliberately opened and drove through a lane that was dedicated to delegates of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) leaders’ summit in Manila, sources said.
“The PNP will study if Maria Isabel Lopez will be charged with criminal liabilities, including breach of government security during the holding of the Asean summit in Manila from November 12 to 14,” said PNP Director Oscar Albayalde, head of the National Capital Region’s police office.
It was in response to Land Transportation Office (LTO) National Capital Region director Clarence Guinto who asked the PNP to determine criminal charges that could be brought against Lopez.
The actress, who was crowned Miss Philippines for the Miss International contest in 1982, will have a chance to defend herself during a public hearing (at a fiscal level) at the LTO on November 16, Guinto said.
Lopez’s lawyer responded on Wednesday to the complaint filed by the LTO against her last Monday. The complaint included disregarding traffic signs, driving recklessly, and violating the anti-distracted driving law. The LTO summoned her for explanation on November 12.
“We will observe proper investigation order,” vowed LTO Chief Edgar Galvante.
Lopez has yet to respond to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) which formally filed a complaint against her at the LTO on November 14. The MMDA asked the LTO to permanently revoke Lopez’s driver’s licence and fine her for violating Republic Act 10913, the country’s law against distracted driving, said MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago.
“Breaching the security protocol during an international event in our country make her an improper person to operate a motor vehicle — which would endanger the public,” said Pialago, adding that Lopez deliberately violated RA 10913 because she used her mobile phone to document her stunt.
Puts delegates at risk
The department of transportation also complained, saying, “Ms Lopez’ actions, which she even posted on social media, does not only show a blatant disregard of traffic rules and regulations, but also puts at risk the Summit delegates and other persons who might replicate her actions.” The government agency has yet to formally recommend to the LTO sanctions against Lopez.
On Sunday, in a caption of several photos that she posted in social media, the actress confessed: “I removed the divider cones (along EDSA on November 11)! Then all other motorists behind me followed! MMDA thinks I’m an official Asean delegate. If you can’t beat em, join them.”
She apologised when the post went viral. But she later told reporters she was being singled out, claiming an MMDA enforcer had allowed her and other private drivers, some of whom went ahead of her, to enter the Asean lane,.
