MANILA, Philippines - Former beauty queen and veteran actress Maria Isabel Lopez explained her viral video on violating ASEAN Summit 2017 traffic protocol. The incident which she has posted online brought some violent reactions from the netizens and officials as the lane was designated solely for the ASEAN dignitaries and participants.

Maria Isabel Lopez explains her controversial video
LTO summons veteran actress Maria Isabel Lopez for 3 traffic violations. Photo Credit: Instagram/Maria Isabel Lopez
In her interview with GMA News on Sunday, she stated that some traffic enforcers allowed other motorists to take the VIP lane that gave her the idea to do the same in order to avoid the massive traffic jam. She also emphasized that her survival instinct supported her decision to cruise the ASEAN lane.

The actress also put the blame on the government officials for prioritizing and giving too much diplomatic privilege to the ASEAN members. “I become a second-class citizen in my own country”, said by Lopez.

Watch the full interview (video courtesy of GMA News):


Various government agencies condemned the ill-deed of the former beauty queen. According to Catalino Uy, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) OIC: “It can halt and derail traffic management and may put at risk both the summit delegates and the traffic violators themselves.”

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Spokesperson Celine Pialago clarified that what Lopez did is a clear breach of security. Pialago also said in an interview that their agency recommends the revocation of Maria Isabel’s driver’s license to the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

On Monday, the LTO has summoned the actress following these traffic violations that she has committed: Disregard of Traffic Signs, Violation of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act and Reckless Driving.

Lopez however, sincerely apologized to the public for the second time during her interview.

In the ASEAN week, 18 leaders plus US President Donald Trump, Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Australia Prime Mister Malcolm Turnbull are all in the country to discuss the political-security, economic, and socio-cultural development of the ASEAN community.

The Philippines’ year-long and third ASEAN Chairmanship this year coincides with the regional bloc’s 50th founding anniversary.

— Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express

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