Complaint filed vs. counterflowing bus driver in viral video

A commuters' safety group on Tuesday filed with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) a formal complaint against Rainbow Express bus company in connection with the viral video showing one of its drivers counterflowing in Quezon City and arguing with a motorist.

LTFRB board member Aileen Lourdes-Lizada said they issued a show cause order requiring the bus firm to reply to the complaint filed by the National Council for Commuters Safety and Protection and to explain why their franchise should not be suspended.

"Nag-issue kami, dated today, ng show cause order directing yung operator ng Rainbow Bus Incorporated, as well as yung driver, to come for a hearing dito sa LTFRB on February 15, 9 a.m., to explain bakit yung prankisa niya hindi dapat masuspinde," Lizada said in a report by GMA News' Cesar Apolinario on "24 Oras."

GMA News went to the office of Rainbow Express in Deparo, Caloocan City, to get its side on the issue, but the security guard and an employee there said no one was there to speak in an official capacity.

A video posted on Facebook by Kristoff Guinto, the motorist, showed the Baclaran-bound bus, with license plate TXF-713, counterflowing along Regalado Avenue in Fairview.

"So ako pa may kasalanan, galit pa siya sa'kin," Guinto said in the video, referring to the driver, despite being on the right lane. "Wait na lang tayo kung ano mangyayari. Lahat ng tao nagagalit na sa kanya."

"Ayaw ko na talagang pagbigyan, so ginawa ko tinutok ko ulit. Naghintayan kami," Guinto said in the "24 Oras" report.

After two minutes, Guinto asked for the help of a traffic enforcer who passed by the highway.

Another motorist from the opposite lane also reprimanded the driver, who attempted to flee from the scene, for almost hitting his car.

"Counterflow ka ng counterflow... Tingnan mo yung guhit. Abusado kayo! Kayo perwisyo sa kalye!" the motorist was heard shouting in the video.

The motorist then threatened to report the traffic enforcer to the Quezon City Mayor's Office if he fails to issue a traffic violation ticket against the bus driver.

"Magkikita tayo sa mayor's office pag yan hindi niyo tinikitan," he said.

The bus driver attempted to flee the scene while the enforcer was talking to the complainants, which irritated the traffic enforcer and demanded him to surrender his license.

"Naabala ako rito," the driver, who later threatened Guinto with a steel pipe, said.

"Mananakit pa... mali pa ako," Guinto said, who also pointed at the irritated passengers of the bus. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/KBK, GMA News