The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has slapped a 90-day preventive suspension on the license of a taxi driver caught on video while charging a foreign tourist P10,000 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
A show-cause order was issued to the driver of the taxi with license plate ABG 7845.
LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said the driver was directed to explain why he should not be punished for violation of at least three provisions of the Joint Administrative Order 2014-01 which prohibits overcharging passengers, manifesting discourtesy and arrogance to passengers, and breach of franchise conditionalities.
Mendoza identified the erring cabbie as Arnel Acle.
“Under the guidance of Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, we are now coordinating with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on the sanctions that may be imposed on the operator of the taxi,” he said.
Meanwhile, the entire fleet of the taxi company that owned the cab being driven by Acle will be banned at the NAIA.
Mendoza said initial investigation led to the identification of the taxi company and the affected driver through a closed circuit television.
The taxi was subsequently traced to its company’s parking lot in Valenzuela City.
An official of the firm said Acle has not reported for work since Dec. 19 after the video went viral.
“We are now coordinating with the Philippine National Police and our local offices to locate this man (We will not allow this incident to simply come to pass because it served as an embarrassment to our country and the entire Filipino people,” Mendoza stressed.
