LTFRB summons taxi operators over alleged scam attempt involving TXT's Soobin
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has issued a show cause order against the taxi operator involved in an alleged scam attempt on K-pop idol Soobin.
In its statement, LTFRB Chairperson Vigor D. Mendoza II said the operator has been ordered to explain why its franchise should not be revoked over the incident, as well as to surrender the taxi’s license plate and the license of the driver who allegedly attempted to scam Soobin.
“This is a serious offense especially that this incident puts the name of our country in bad light in the international community. The viral video itself is already strong evidence," Mendoza said, stressing that the incident is a violation of LTFRB's rules and regulations and Certificate of Public Conveyance's terms and conditions.
Based on the initial investigation by LTFRB Region 7, the taxi involved (body number 4351) was found to have overcharged and deliberately not used the meter.
A hearing is scheduled on April 21. The unit is also under a 30-day suspension.
Mendoza vowed to pursue a policy enabling automatic charges and impounding of taxis involved in overcharging.
“Hindi ito ugali ng Pilipino, ugali ito ng mga walang hiya. At huwag ninyong idadahilan ang kahirapan dito dahil napakaraming kababayan natin na lumalaban ng patas at hindi nanggugulang ng kapwa,” he stressed.
On April 2, a vlog from Soobin went viral, capturing his arrival in Cebu for a three-day vacation. Before getting inside, Soobin said the estimated fare was only P300.
However, when they spoke with the driver, he said that the fare would cost P500.
The K-pop idol initially pushed back, pointing out that the app estimated the fare at just P300, but eventually relented as the price was only off by 5,000 won (P198).
"It's because the gas is very expensive," the driver explained.
At one point during the ride, Soobin asked the driver again how much the fare was, and the driver said, "For you, only P1,000."
After they arrived at their destination, the music artist shared that the driver attempted to push the P1,000 price to them again, but that they "told him firmly that we were only going to pay P500."
On the same day, LTFRB said in a statement that it is crafting a policy that would allow the immediate filing of criminal charges and impounding of taxis that overcharge passengers.
Mendoza said that impounding units and filing criminal charges on top of administrative cases will now become the standard approach in dealing with erring taxi drivers.
