MANILA — After his son’s traffic violation, transport blogger James Deakin showed up at the Land Transportation Office headquarters on Monday.

In December, Deakin’s son was arrested for allegedly driving recklessly on the Skyway in an unlicensed car.

Deakin has acknowledged that his 19-year-old son is still unfamiliar with Skyway exits and is a novice driver, having only got his license just several months ago.

However, Deakin insisted that it seemed excessive to charge his son with “reckless driving” for a lane infraction, which might result in a criminal record for a young driver.

Motoring journalist and television host James Deakin personally went to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) following public complaints involving an alleged traffic violation committed by his son.

In a statement released Tuesday, Deakin confirmed that he visited the LTO to address the issue directly, stressing that no one in his family should be treated above the law.

The controversy began after photos and videos circulated online showing a vehicle allegedly driven by Deakin’s son committing a traffic infraction. Netizens questioned whether the case would be handled fairly due to Deakin’s public profile and long-standing advocacy for responsible driving.

The issue quickly gained traction on social media, prompting calls for the LTO to investigate and ensure that due process was followed.

Deakin, who is widely known for promoting road safety and ethical motoring practices, said he felt it was necessary to appear personally at the LTO to clarify the situation and cooperate with authorities.

Noting that this matter should be resolved through the appropriate legal and administrative processes, he further urged the public to refrain from harassing his son online.

An LTO spokesperson confirmed that Deakin visited their office and that the agency is reviewing the complaints and available evidence.

Citing data privacy rules, the government did not immediately reveal more information.

While some netizens criticized the incident, others praised Deakin for addressing the matter head-on.

Once the review is completed, the LTO is anticipated to make its conclusions public. In accordance with traffic laws, punishments could include fines or even suspension, depending on the result.

Deakin stated that he and his family will wait for the formal ruling and honor whatever decision made by the authorities for the time being.