Kapuso actor Benjamin Alves spoke out against the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) decision to impose a 90-day driver’s license suspension and issue a show cause order (SCO) against the pickup driver involved in the viral assault of a man pushing a kariton.
In a recent social media post, Benjamin openly criticized what he described as a weak penalty for an act of physical violence.
“90-day suspension for assault is laughable. A slap on the wrist for slapping somebody at the back of the head,” the actor wrote.
He also drew a comparison between how authorities treat motorists and those without vehicles, adding, “Show cause pag may kotse, dampot agad pag tulak ng kariton.”
Benjamin further questioned the broader social implications of the incident, asking, “Why does this country make it so hard to live and work with dignity and respect despite one’s social [class?]”
His remarks quickly resonated online, prompting many netizens to share their own frustrations over the perceived imbalance in justice. Several comments echoed the sentiment that the penalty was insufficient, with some calling for harsher sanctions.
Others pointed to the difficulty faced by marginalized Filipinos in seeking justice.
The issue gained further attention after comedienne Pokwang confirmed that the pickup driver involved in the viral video was her brother.
“May gusto lang po akong ipahiwatig. Totoo po ’yong nalaman n’yo tungkol do’n sa nag-viral na video na naka-Hilux na Toyotang puti. Opo, kapatid ko po ’yon. Galing, ano?” she said in a statement.
