LTO suspends license of 'Cherry White' over unsafe driving; vlogger reacts
(Photo: Land Transportation Office)
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced Friday, July 11, that it suspended the driver’s license of social media personality “Cherry White” over a viral video showing her in an unsafe driving practice.
LTO Executive Director Greg Pua Jr. said Cherry White, whose real name is Cherrylyn Gonzaga, was seen seated in a casual or lounging posture with one leg raised onto the driver’s seat in an undated video that has since gone viral on social media.
The unsafe driving practice shown in the video “could lead to road accidents that may endanger not only White’s life but also of other users,” Pua noted.
“The information we received was that this personality has a strong following on social media and the video showing her unsafe driving practice is dangerous since it could be misinterpreted that it is okay to do that,” said Pua.
“We are now investigating this incident and it starts with the issuance of a show cause order (SCO) against her,” he added.
White has a Facebook page that has a whopping 6.4 million followers. Her personal Facebook account, “Cherrylyn Gonzaga”, has 166,000 followers.
The vlogger was ordered to explain why she should not be held liable for violation of Sec. 27 (a) (being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle) of Republic Act No. 4136 Land Transportation and Traffic Code, as well as for reckless driving.
She was tasked to appear at the LTO Central Office in Quezon City.
“Due to the gravity of the act, the Driver's License No. D19-14-004834 issued to a.k.a "Cherry White" is hereby PREVENTIVELY SUSPENDED for a period of NINETY (90) DAYS,” the SCO read.
“Accordingly, you are directed to SURRENDER your driver's license on or before the scheduled hearing to formally commence the period of suspension,” it added.
Pua said the vehicle involved in the viral video was also placed under alarm while the case is under investigation.
Meanwhile, the vlogger acknowledged the sanction imposed to her by the LTO.
“Sorry LTO! I’ll just use an e-bike instead,” she said in Filipino. “I was suspended for three months. They said I was practicing driving. I was such an idiot.”