Valisno Express Liner not in 2011's ‘deadliest buses’ list

The Valisno Express Liner bus company, a unit of which crashed into concrete post last Wednesday killing four people, was not among the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board's (LTFRB's) “most deadliest buses” list. Rather, it was Valisno Express' sister company, Gasat Express, that was on the list.

Also, Valisno Express' Executive Secretary Vivian Martinez spoke with GMA News Online on Friday and explained that neither was their company formerly called Gasat Express, as reported.

And though Martinez admitted that Valisno and Gasat were sister companies, she emphasized that they were two separate entities.

She added that Valisno Express Liner was owned by Rosalinda Valisno, and that the company has been in operation for some six years.

The LTFRB's “deadliest buses” list named Gasat Express among the top ten bus companies involved in road accidents causing the most deaths, injuries and damage to property. The list covered the period from January 2010 to September 2011.

In the list, Gasat Express ranked fourth in both road mishaps resulting in the most number of deaths and injuries. It also ranked third in accidents that caused the most damage to property.

However, an LTFRB official, who asked not to be named, said that the list had not been officially released by their organization.

Also, former LTFRB Chairman Jaime Jacob explained in 2011 that they had not labeled the companies in the list as the “deadliest.”

“Ang Sabi namin, most number of accidents na kinasangkutan. Pero not necessarily sila ang may kasalanan doon,” Jacob said on Super Radyo dzBB.

On Wednesday, a Valisno Express bus driven by George Pacis crashed into a concrete post along Quirino Highway around 7 a.m. Some four people were killed and 18 were injured.

Pacis surrendered to authorities and the LTFRB slapped a 30-day suspension on Valisno Express' entire fleet of 62 buses. — DVM, GMA News