LTO orders motorcycle vlogger to explain road rage incident in Zambales

MANILA, Philippines — A female vlogger known online as “Yanna” is facing a show cause order that could lead to the suspension or revocation of her driver’s license, after she was seen in a video flipping her middle finger at a pickup driver.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) issued the show cause order on Friday, May 2, asking vlogger Alyanna Mari Aguinaldo to explain the alleged road altercation that happened between her and the pickup driver in Zambales by May 6. 

“On the part of this vlogger, she should have used her social media influence to promote responsible driving and road safety,” LTO Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said in a statement.

As part of the show cause order, Aguinaldo’s driver’s license will be under preventive suspension for three months. She must surrender her license once she receives the notice.

The vlogger, however, still has a chance to defend herself and explain why she should not face administrative charges for reckless driving and other traffic violations. 

The LTO also flagged her as a possible “improper person to operate a motor vehicle,” which could result in further suspension or revocation of her license.

Mendoza said the agency’s action follows President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to promise road safety. 

“Matagal na tayong nagpapaliwanag sa milyon-milyong nating mga kababayang motorista na walang mabuting idinudulot ang init ng ulo sa kalsada — at napakarami na ang naparusahan natin dito,” he said in a statement. 

(We’ve long been reminding our millions of fellow motorists that road rage does no good — and many have already been penalized because of it.)

Sen. JV Ejericto posted a redacted version of the show cause order on his Facebook after he said in a separate post that he sent the video to the Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon for appropriate action.

"Though there was a public apology by Yanna on video last night, there should be action from the appropriate government agency LTO to discipline drivers or riders on the road," he said on Friday. 

The incident 

The video in question, taken from one of Aguinaldo’s Facebook posts on April 29, shows her riding a motorcycle on a dirt path in Zambales when she encounters a white pickup truck that she claimed was “herding lanes” without checking its surroundings.

Aguinaldo alleged that the driver failed to use side mirrors and signal lights, prompting her to flip her middle finger in frustration. 

The situation escalated when both parties stopped along the road. The driver of the pickup got out of the vehicle and confronted Aguinaldo, asking why she was cursing at him.

“Bakit nga ba? (Why do you think so?)” she replied in an irritated tone. The driver pointed out how difficult it is to drive on an uneven and rutted road, but Aguinaldo snapped back, “You tell me!”

As tensions flared, the driver told her that the middle finger gesture was unnecessary. Aguinaldo, still shouting, argued that the driver had side mirrors while she did not. She later called him a “dumbass.”

Apology. She publicly apologized in a video on May 1, addressing the driver involved and the people of Zambales, including members of the riding and off-road communities. She said, “To grow is to be accountable.”

“This issue is all on me. I’m still learning. This one, especially, the hard way. I promise to be more patient on the road,” she added. 

Several road rage incidents have been reported in recent months, including one in Antipolo on April 1 that led to the death of a 52-year-old man and resulted in frustrated homicide charges. The rise in such cases has prompted lawmakers to consider filing a bill specifically targeting road rage offenses.