LTO revokes taxi driver's license, imposes lifetime ban due to overcharging

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has permanently revoked the driver's license of a taxi driver and imposed a lifetime ban on him from obtaining any type of driver's license for overcharging a foreign passenger.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said the agency immediately launched a probe after a video by a vlogger showed the driver allegedly demanding an excessive fare from the foreign passenger.

"Nang makarating sa atin ang video ng isang vlogger tungkol sa taxi driver na naningil ng hindi karapat-dapat na pamasahe sa isang dayuhan, agad tayong nagsagawa ng imbestigasyon upang mabigyan ng Show Cause Order ang driver," Lacanilao told GMA News Online in a message.

(When the video regarding the taxi driver's alleged overcharging reached us, we immediately conducted an investigation for a show cause order to be issued.)

The incident happened in Pasay City last week, Lacanilao said.

The LTO earlier issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) against the driver and the registered owner of the taxi after a viral post by the Facebook page "MY RIDE PH" alleged that the driver tried to charge the foreign passenger ₱2,000 for a trip from the airport to the passenger's destination.

The agency's Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) subsequently identified the driver and the registered owner of the taxi.

The LTO also found that the vehicle's registration had expired. The driver was likewise found to have pending administrative cases involving other violations of traffic laws and regulations.

The driver and registered owner were ordered to appear before the LTO division and submit sworn statements and explanations regarding the alleged overcharging and violation of compulsory registration requirements.

The driver was also ordered to surrender his license and was placed under a 90-day preventive suspension while the taxi was placed under alarm status.

LTO law enforcement officers and deputized law enforcement officers were instructed to impound the taxi if it was found operating because of its expired registration.

After the hearing, the LTO ruled that the driver was an "Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle" and ordered the perpetual revocation of his driver's license.

He was also slapped with a lifetime ban from obtaining any type of driver's license.

The taxi remains impounded and under alarm status.

Lacanilao said the action was part of his seven-point agenda to ensure that the agency responds quickly and decisively to violations affecting the public. — RSJ, GMA News