BINI member Mikha Lim surrendered her driver's license to the Land Transportation Office on Wednesday, November 11, after the agency cited her for allegedly using her cellphone while driving in a livestream.
Lim went to the LTO Central Office in Quezon City with her manager, ahead of a hearing originally set for November 20. Her license now sits under a 90-day preventive suspension while investigators determine whether she violated the Anti-Distracted Driving Act.
What the video showed
According to GMA Network, which first reported the surrender through Dano Tingcungco's report on '24 Oras,' the LTO acted on complaints about a livestream that showed Lim recording herself behind the wheel. When her phone fell, she allegedly bent down to retrieve it from underneath the vehicle instead of stopping at a safe spot. She was also seen holding the device with both hands while driving.
The LTO issued a Show Cause Order requiring her to explain her actions, which the agency said may constitute violations of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act, reckless driving, and being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.
The Manila Times reported that LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao issued the order after reviewing the video, while the Daily Tribune noted the order required her to surrender her license for the 90-day preventive suspension.
Lacanilao: no special treatment for celebrities
Lacanilao said Lim and her manager voluntarily appeared before the agency days before their scheduled hearing.
'They acknowledged their mistake and voluntarily came to the LTO to discuss the matter. We also served them with the Show Cause Order, explained the violations, and they surrendered the driver's license,' he said in Filipino.
Lim did not speak to reporters during her visit, but the LTO said the singer apologized for her actions.
'She was very apologetic. She acknowledged her mistake, recognizing that driving while recording a video was wrong and that she knew it was strictly prohibited,' Lacanilao said.
He stressed that the agency would treat her case like any other, regardless of her fame or her early appearance.
'We treat everyone equally. It doesn't matter whether someone is famous or arrived earlier. We only apply the penalties stipulated in the rules for the specific violation. But what's good about this is that they voluntarily came forward, which is already a big deal,' he said.
What penalties could follow?
The Anti-Distracted Driving Act sets a fine of P5,000 for a first offense. Repeat offenders face steeper consequences, with a fourth offense carrying a P20,000 fine and revocation of the driver's license.
The case has drawn wide attention because of Lim's profile as a member of BINI, one of the country's most popular P-pop girl groups. Bilyonaryo reported that the suspension followed the livestream that went viral among fans and critics alike.
Earlier, the LTO had issued a show cause order against an unnamed member of a popular P-pop girl group over the same video, before Lim was publicly identified.
Why this case matters beyond showbiz
For a government agency often accused of uneven enforcement, the LTO's handling of a celebrity case sends a signal to ordinary drivers, from Manila's choked EDSA to provincial roads where enforcement is thinner. Distracted driving remains one of the most common causes of road crashes in the Philippines, and the law exists precisely for moments like the one captured in Lim's livestream.
Lacanilao put it plainly in an earlier statement: 'It is our responsibility to ensure that the law is enforced fairly and without bias, regardless of a person's status or popularity. Whether famous or not, everyone is expected to follow traffic laws, and if a violation is established, the LTO will impose the appropriate penalties.'
Lim's voluntary surrender, nine days before her scheduled hearing, may weigh in her favor. But the 90-day suspension stands, and the November 20 hearing will determine what penalties, if any, follow.
FAQ
Why did Mikha Lim surrender her driver's license?
She surrendered it voluntarily to the LTO on November 11 after receiving a Show Cause Order over a livestream that appeared to show her using her cellphone while driving.
How long is Mikha Lim's license suspended?
Her license is under a 90-day preventive suspension pending the LTO investigation.
What are the penalties for distracted driving in the Philippines?
Under the Anti-Distracted Driving Act, a first offense carries a P5,000 fine. A fourth offense can result in a P20,000 fine and license revocation.