Bacoor motorist allegedly urinates on the road while stopped at red light

“Habang red light, itong driver ng van na ‘to ay biglang bumaba para umihi sa gitna ng kalsada. Ilang segundo lang naman na paghihintay at may [McDonald’s] naman sa kanto kung ihing ihi na,” the uploader wrote.

Ordinances on public urination vary across municipalities. The Health, Sanitation and Safety Code of Bacoor, under City Ordinance No. CO 55-2015, penalizes urination, defecation, and spitting in public.

First-time offenders face a ₱1,500 fine and must attend a one-day public hygiene seminar conducted by the city. The fine increases to ₱2,500 for a second offense, with the same seminar requirement.

Third-time offenders face a ₱5,000 fine and must render 30 hours of community work by conducting public hygiene testimonials for elementary students in the city, under the supervision of the City Health Office.

In August, a viral video of a taxi driver urinating outside his vehicle while stopped along the road led to the LTO issuing a show-cause order to the driver on Sept. 8.

In a statement at the time, LTO Region VI said the Iloilo City incident may constitute a violation under Title IV, Item 7 of Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01, which penalizes “reckless, insolent, discourteous or arrogant [employed] drivers” and may subject their employer or operator to administrative liability.

In the Bacoor van driver’s case, the LTO may also issue a show-cause order over a possible reckless driving violation under the Land Transportation and Traffic Code. The agency has issued warnings to errant drivers who alighted from their vehicles while stopped on the road or acted in ways that endangered other motorists, citing these provisions as a basis.

Under the law, reckless driving occurs when a person operates a vehicle “without regard or reasonable caution” for the highway’s conditions, endangering “the property or the safety or rights of any person or so as to cause excessive or unreasonable damage to the highway.”

If the driver cannot sufficiently contest the alleged violation, the LTO may suspend or revoke his license and declare him an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle.

READ: