BINI Mikha pens apology after LTO serves SCO

MANILA: Filipina pop star Mikha Lim from girl group BINI has penned an apology letter after receiving a show-cause order from the Land Transportation Office (LTO). 

On X (formerly Twitter), BINI Mikha wrote: 

“I want to sincerely apologize for my actions. There is absolutely no excuse for using my phone while behind the wheel. It was careless and irresponsible… 

I take full accountability for what happened. I have already reported to the LTO and am going through due process to face proper penalties for my violation… 

This has been a big lesson for me to be much more mindful, disciplined, and responsible moving forward. Road safety rules exist to protect everyone, and something we need to take seriously,” she noted. 

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Why the SCO was issued 

Based on videos circulating online, the pop star can be seen with both hands on her smartphone and not the steering wheel. Her gaze also switches between the road ahead and the device she is holding. 

Further, the country’s land transport bureau shared in a social media post that BINI Mikha’s phone fell while driving, and instead of finding a safe place to stop, she stooped to get her phone from the vehicle floor. 

“Batay sa mga ebidensyang nakalap ng ahensya, makikita na nire-record ng naturang personalidad ang sarili habang nagmamaneho nang mahulog ang kanyang cellphone. Sa halip na huminto muna sa ligtas na lugar, yumuko siya upang kunin ang cellphone sa ilalim ng sasakyan (According to the evidence gathered by the agency, the individual in question was recording themselves while driving when their mobile phone fell. Instead of pulling over to a safe location, they reached down to retrieve the phone from the floor of the vehicle),” LTO wrote on its official Facebook page. 

“Kabilang sa mga posibleng paglabag na nakasaad sa SCO ang Republic Act No. 10913 o Anti-Distracted Driving Act, Reckless Driving, at pagiging Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle, na maaaring maging batayan upang suspendihin o bawiin ang kanyang lisensya dahil sa mga paglabag (Among the potential violations cited in the SCO are Republic Act No. 10913 [Anti-Distracted Driving Act,> reckless driving, and being an ‘improper person to operate a motor vehicle’—all of which may serve as grounds for the suspension or revocation of one's license), it added. 

Suspended license 

While the investigation is ongoing, BINI Mikha was ordered to immediately surrender her driver's license to LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division, where it will be placed under a 90-day preventive suspension. 

“Trabaho po namin na tiyaking naipatutupad ang batas nang patas at walang kinikilingan, anuman ang katayuan o kasikatan ng isang tao. Sikat man o hindi, inaasahan nating sumusunod ang lahat sa batas-trapiko, at kung mapatunayang may paglabag, ipatutupad ng LTO ang kaukulang parusa (It is our duty to ensure that the law is enforced fairly and impartially, regardless of an individual’s status or fame. Whether famous or not, everyone is expected to comply with traffic laws; should a violation be proven, the LTO will impose the corresponding penalties),” LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao was quoted as saying.  

Also read:

LTO issues SCOs vs identified participants in BOSS Ironman Cup

LTO revokes license of MMDA-marked vehicle driver with mismatched plates

LTFRB issues SCO vs. 19 ride-hailing firms for not following fare hike

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