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Tado's family still mulling case vs. Florida bus line


The family of Arvin “Tado” Jimenez is still mulling whether or not to file charges against G.V. Florida Transport, operator of the passenger bus that plunged into a ravine in Mt. Province last Friday, killing Tado and 14 others.

“Sa ngayon, lahat pinag-aaralan pa. Alam naman natin 'yung advocacy ni Tado na isa road safety... so itong hakbang na gagawin ng pamilya kailangan i-consider kung ano ba talaga ang pagtingin ni Tado," said Leni Velasco, the Jimenez family's spokesperson, in a report on “News To Go” Tuesday.
 
According to Tado's group Dakila, the bus company has yet to contact the Jimenez family for possible financial assistance. This was echoed by Al Cecilio, relative of one of the fatalities.

Their claims contradicted the statement of lawyer Alex Versoza, the bus company's legal counsel, who said in a radio report that families of some victims have already agreed to a settlement and will no longer pursue a case against the bus firm.

Charges of multiple homicide and physical injuries will be filed against Florida Transport, an earlier report said.

A bus of G.V. Florida on Friday plundged in a ravine in Bontoc, Mt. Province and killed 15 passengers, including Tado, musician David Sicam and visual artist Gerard Baja. Thirty-two people were injured in the accident.

A day after the crash, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board imposed a 30-day preventive suspension against the GV Florida Transport's fleet.

For its part, the bus firm said it will set up an office that will focus on the providing assistance to the victims' families.

“We will fulfill our legal obligations, once these are determined, and are setting up an office that will extend assistance to the victims of this accident,” the company said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.

The company noted that the Bontoc route was “newly-opened.” No other details were provided.

“This regrettable incident makes us review our procedures, our operations-flow, our maintenance measures as well as the continuing efficiency, aptitude and capability of our crew,” the statement read.

“Nothing will be spared to prevent by every means possible the repetition of a similar event in the future,” it added.  — Rouchelle Dinglasan/KBK, GMA News

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