Driver risks losing license after striking rider with baseball bat

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The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended for three months the driver's license of an individual caught in a viral video hitting a motorcycle rider with a baseball bat along Mabini Bridge in Sampaloc, Manila.

In a “24 Oras” report by JP Soriano on Friday, the LTO said that while the cause of the road rage incident has yet to be determined, the video footage alone was sufficient grounds to issue a show cause order against the driver and suspend his license for three months.

“So sa ngayon, naka-alarm na ‘yung sasakyan at ‘yung license nung registered owner. Itong ganito, mabigat ‘yung kasalanan niya. Maaaring ma-revoke 'to, perpetual. So ibig sabihin habang buhay siya matanggalan ng lisensya,” LTO Chief Assistance Secretary Markus Lacanilao said.

(So as of now, an alarm has been placed on the vehicle and the registered owner's license. This is a serious offense. The license may be permanently revoked, meaning the driver could be disqualified from holding a driver's license for life.)

Regardless of who initiated the argument, the driver will still be held accountable, Lacalinao said.

“Yes, oo. Kaya nga parati namin sinasabi, ano, ‘pag may mga away na ganiyan, huwag kayong bumaba ng sasakyan. I-dokumento ninyo, picturan ninyo. Pwede nilang ireklamo sa amin eh. Aaksyunan naman namin,” Lacanilao said.

(Yes, absolutely. That’s why we always tell motorists that whenever an argument like that happens, do not get out of your vehicle. Document it, take photos. They can report it to us, and we will take action.)

GMA News is currently attempting to contact and obtain statements from the individuals involved in the viral incident.

According to the Manila Police District and the local barangay, no formal complaints have been filed over the incident.

The LTO urged the motorcycle rider to file a formal complaint.

Data from the agency showed that a total of 103 road rage incidents that went viral were recorded from October 2025 to November 6, 2026.

“Hindi tayo lahat perpekto, madali tayong magalit, ‘no? Pero isipin natin ‘yung magiging resulta nung gagawin nating pag-aaway,” Lacanilao said.

(None of us is perfect, and we can easily lose our temper, right? But we should think about the consequences of our actions when getting into an argument.) —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/VBL, GMA News