Cab firm in rob try faces stiff penalty

MANILA, Philippines–The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is mulling taking action against a taxi company whose driver was arrested during a robbery attempt in Makati City earlier this month.

In a statement, the LTFRB said that it had issued a show-cause order to Gaudencio V. de Guzman, operator of a fleet of taxi cabs named after him, asking him to explain why his franchise or certificate of public convenience should not be suspended or canceled.

One of his drivers, Ponciano Libunao II, and his accomplice identified as Ron Jovy Turla, 21, were arrested on Jan. 13 on Osmeña Highway after they stabbed and tried to rob a female passenger.

The woman managed to jump out of the cab and cry out for help, attracting the attention of barangay (village) watchmen.

De Guzman told authorities that Libunao had been working for him for just three months.

The LTFRB, in its order, required De Guzman to explain his side in writing, and to personally appear along with all his drivers at the LTFRB main office in Quezon City for a hearing at 9 a.m. on Feb. 17.

In addition, De Guzman was also directed to submit to the LTFRB the clearance forms issued by the police, barangay and National Bureau of Investigation to all his authorized drivers on or before Feb. 13.

As part of his explanation, De Guzman was also required to submit a report on his hiring and supervision system for taxi drivers.

“Incidents like these are why the LTFRB implemented an ordinance requiring all taxi operators to submit a list of their authorized drivers and to place identification cards in all their taxis so the passengers can easily know if the driver is legitimate,” LTFRB Chair Winston Ginez said in a statement released over the weekend.

Ginez was referring to Memorandum Circular 2014-20 issued last month by the LTFRB, which also stated that taxi operators whose drivers are involved in robberies or other crimes would be issued show-cause orders.

“If the LTFRB proves that the operators were negligent in choosing and monitoring their drivers, they will be punished with the suspension or cancellation of their franchise,” Ginez warned.

The LTFRB is building a database of the names of authorized taxi drivers in Metro Manila. Ginez said the LTFRB was also coordinating with developers for a mobile application to allow passengers to check whether a taxi driver was in the database or not.

“The LTFRB would also have an accreditation process and training program for [public utility vehicle] drivers,” Ginez added. –Jaymee T. Gamil