Mandaue village chair in hot water for driving motorcycle without helmet
FELIPE Diano, a barangay captain in Mandaue City, is seen driving a motorcycle without a helmet on a busy street in Mandaue. (Screenshot from a viral video)
CEBU CITY – A barangay captain in Mandaue City found himself in hot water after he was caught driving a motorcycle without a helmet in a busy street.
The Land Transportation Office-Central Visayas (LTO-7) has issued a show-cause order against Basak Barangay Captain Felipe Diano, who was also seen in a viral video disregarding a traffic light.
LTO-7 chief Glen Galario also ordered the suspension of Diano’s driver’s license for 90 days.
The issue stemmed from a video that has gone viral on social media showing Diano driving a motorcycle on a busy street in Mandaue without a helmet on Jan. 5.
The traffic light was red when Diano reached an intersection. While other vehicles stopped, Diano drove off, disregarding the traffic signal.
When the video widely circulated, Diano issued a public apology through a Facebook video. He also paid his fine at the traffic office of Mandaue.
Despite the barangay official’s admission of committing a traffic violation, the LTO-7 still opted to look into the matter.
Failure to wear a prescribed motorcycle helmet and reckless driving while proceeding through a red traffic light were among the violations cited by LTO-7.
“The official has been directed to appear personally and submit a written explanation/comment before the LTO 7 Operations Division at N. Bacalso Ave., Cebu City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026,” the LTO-7 said in a statement.
Diano was required to show cause why his driver's license should not be suspended or revoked for being an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle pursuant to Section 27(a) of Republic Act 4136.
He has also been ordered to surrender his driver's license and present the Official Receipt/Certificate of Registration (OR/CR) of the subject motor vehicle on the date of the hearing.
Diano’s driver’s license and motor vehicle registration have been placed under alarm status, preventing any and all transactions while the case is under investigation.
“The order warns that failure to appear and file the required explanation/comment at the stated time and place shall be construed as a waiver of the right to be heard and will result in the office resolving the case based on available records,” the LTO-7 said.