LTFRB suspends franchise of owner of bus in tragic Tanay road crash

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has suspended the franchise of the bus firm that owned the unit that crashed in Tanay, Rizal on Monday, a tragic incident that left 15 people dead.

But "24 Oras" on Tuesday reported that while the bus that crashed was owned by Panda Coach Tours and Travel Inc., it was subcontracted by the Harana Tours Inc., which was contracted by Best Link College (BLC) to ferry the students to the venue of a training seminar. 

However, the LTFRB will summon the two bus companies for a hearing next week in relation to the bus crash that killed at least 15 individuals in Tanay, Rizal on Monday.

"By issuing the show-cause order, we are sending a strong message to Harana that they are not off-the-hook," LTFRB Board Member Aileen Lizada said.

Both tour bus operators admitted that it is their practice to subcontract each other whenever they need additional buses.

Panda Tours maintained that the bus used by the students was in good condition.

"After the trip po, nag-aano po sila ng job order, tinatanong sila ng job order, nagsusulat po sila or nagsasabi po sila sa maintenance na papagawa po ako ng ganun, kung ano man po ang gusto nila ipagawa sa bus po nila," said Jonalyn Martinez, Panda Tours liaison officer.

"Ang Harana Tours at ang Panda Tours ay two separate entities, transport operators. Yung liability ng Panda Tours does not depend on the liability of Harana Tours," Harana Tours legal counsel Atty. Cesar Briliantes said.

While Harana Tours subcontracted Panda Tours to add to the eight buses they allotted for BLC, their legal counsel Atty. Cesar Brillantes said that they don't have liability for the accident. — Rie Takumi/BAP/LBG, GMA News