Motorists using sirens and blinkers, commemorative plates, organizational stickers, or other markings to appear connected to influential groups or government agencies continue to draw the attention of authorities, particularly when these are used to avoid traffic violations or intimidate fellow road users.

One of the latest cases involves the driver of a Volkswagen Jetta, who previously went viral over the use of unauthorized wang-wang, while also claiming diplomatic status. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has now caught the vehicle again for using a fake license plate, leading to another round of charges.

According to the LTO, it received information that the Jetta was fitted with an unauthorized plate. The discovery comes after the driver’s license had already been revoked for two years over his previous violations. The driver is now allegedly driving despite having a revoked license, using an unauthorized license plate, on top of the earlier wang-wang incident.

During the inspection, authorities recovered the vehicle’s original license plates, which matched its Certificate of Registration, from the trunk. The vehicle was impounded, and the plates have been taken into custody and will form part of the evidence for the charges to be filed.

“When a vehicle is repeatedly involved in traffic violations, stiffer penalties may be imposed. We will not hesitate to use the full extent of the law against erring motorists. We will ensure that swift action is taken against both the registered owner of the vehicle and its driver,” said LTO Chief Markus Lacanilao.

As part of due process, the agency has already issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) to both the driver and the registered owner of the Jetta.

The driver may face charges for Driving Without a Valid Driver’s License, Improper Use or Tampering of License Plates, and may also be declared an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle, which is a penalty that may carry a lifetime revocation of driving privileges.

Pretending to have influence to be “above the law” may have worked 30 or 20 years ago. Today, however, where almost every motorist has a dashcam or a smartphone, and where the public is encouraged to report traffic violators through social media and directly to authorities like i-report mo kay LTO Chief, these gimmicks have become more of a liability than an advantage.

Fake badges, commemorative plates, and claims of powerful connections no longer intimidate people; instead, they invite cameras, public scrutiny, and investigations. If anything, it’s time motorists who still cling to these tactics realize that they’re no longer fooling anyone. On today’s roads, the only thing that earns respect is responsible driving and obeying the law.