TXT’s Soobin narrates alleged overcharging of Cebu taxi driver in vlog

Tomorrow x Together member Soobin narrated an alleged overcharging attempt by a taxi driver in Cebu that he and his friend experienced.  

On his travel vlog posted Wednesday night, Soobin was seen waiting outside the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and checking fare estimates for a trip to his hotel.

He even shared that he received a travel tip and warning from fellow member Taehyun, who had previously visited the island, regarding overpricing taxi drivers. 

“Let’s try Taehyun’s advice. Taehyun’s traveled to Cebu before so we asked him for travel tips and he told us to just act angry [if we’re being scammed],” he shared.

The video then showed Soobin and his friend being given a quote of P500 for a taxi trip that they had estimated to only cost P300.

"Five hundred? But we checked the app and it's saying it's only like 300," his friend told the taxi driver. 

The two eventually got inside the taxi without haggling. However, while inside, they were surprised when the driver doubled the price to P1,000.

According to the vlog, the driver said he was using a car that used a more expensive type of fuel.

“It’s because the gas is very expensive,” the taxi driver shared.

The two were able to haggle the price back down to P500. 

"Did you hear that? You heard that right, I'm reporting this," Soobin said. Just now he said P1,000. Don't edit this part out, okay? I mean, P500 is already pushing it. And then he raises it to P1,000." 

Upon getting out of the cab, however, Soobin shared that the driver attempted to double the price again.

“Once we arrived, the driver tried to charge us P1,000 again, but we told him firmly that we were only going to pay P500,” he said.

“I can’t believe he’d raise the price so suddenly like that,” his friend added.

Filipino fans immediately expressed their disappointment online, noting that increasing oil prices did not justify the overpricing.

“A scam is a scam. Struggles don’t justify dishonesty. If anything, it's even more harmful because it normalizes exploiting people instead of fixing the system. We can acknowledge the problem without becoming part of it,” shared a fan on X (formerly Twitter).

Meanwhile, a local TXT fanbase, MOA Cebu, said that they have already submitted a complaint to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regarding the incident. 

“While we understand that fuel prices and operational costs have increased, the distance between MCIA Terminal 2 and [the resort] does not reasonably justify the fare that was reportedly asked. This raises concerns about possible overcharging or the non-use of taxi meters,” the complaint from fanbase MOA Cebu said. 

“Moreover, with content such as this vlog being publicly accessible online, it exposes these experiences to a global audience. Situations like this may create the impression that taxi drivers are overcharging foreign visitors, which could negatively impact the reputation of Cebu as a tourist-friendly destination,” they added.

In a message to GMA News Online, LTFRB chairman Atty. Vigor Mendoza II said that they are now conducting a probe and looking for the driver involved in the incident.

“Pinapahanap ko na ang taxi at ma-suspend operations ASAP,” he said. 

["I have already ordered the taxi to be located and for its operations to be suspended ASAP."]

According to Mendoza, criminal charges will be filed against the driver and operator of the vehicle, on top of the franchise violation. 

“Enough is enough. Kung ayaw nila tumigil, starting today, sasampahan na rin natin ng kasong kriminal for violating the Public Service Act and estafa 'yung driver at operator. This is on top of the franchise violation. Impound rin ang sasakyan pending trial,” said Mendoza. 

["Enough is enough. If they don’t want to stop, starting today, we will also be filing a criminal case against the driver and operator for violating the Public Service Act and estafa. This is on top of the franchise violation. The vehicle will also be impounded, pending trial."]

Meanwhile, in a separate interview with GMA News Online, former LTFRB spokesperson and Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection (LCSP) founder Atty. Ariel Inton said that the oil crisis should not be used as an excuse to overcharge.

“Sa panahon ng crisis, mas mabigat dapat ang parusa sa mga nagsasamantala sa mga pasahero… Hindi dapat magsamantala ng pasahero, dayuhan man o Pilipino. Mahirap na sabihin na hayaan na lang natin 'yan… On the side of the commuters, hindi maaaring palampasin 'yan kasi ang mga mananakay ang nasasamantalahan,” he shared.

["In times of crisis, penalties should be heavier for those who take advantage of passengers... Passengers should not be taken advantage of, whether they are a foreigner or a Filipino. It is hard to say to just let this pass... On the side of the commuters, this cannot be overlooked because it is the passengers who are being taken advantage of."] 

Soobin’s experience is not the first incident of a K-pop idol being scammed by a taxi driver in the country.

In 2022, Seventeen member Joshua Hong detailed his experience of being overcharged P1,000 by a taxi driver in Manila. The LTFRB had condemned the incident, calling it disappointing and embarrassing. —CDC, GMA News