By Aaron Recuenco
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has cracked down on a taxi driver who scammed a foreign tourist by charging ₱2,000 for a five‑minute trip from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
LTFRB chairman Vigor D. Mendoza II said the cabbie’s operation has been suspended for 30 days, while the operator was ordered to explain why the franchise should not be revoked.
The incident came to light after the victim posted a video online, which was flagged by the agency’s social media monitoring team.
According to the vlog, the driver not only demanded an exorbitant fare but also allowed another passenger to ride in the vehicle—both clear violations of franchise rules.
Mendoza condemned the act, stressing: “No passenger, much more foreign tourists whom we should welcome to the country, deserves this kind of treatment.”
The operator was directed to surrender the taxi’s license plate before the Aug. 19 hearing and ensure the driver undergoes a road safety seminar and drug testing.
A show cause order also cited the operator for failing to provide safe, reliable, and convenient public transport service, aside from the blatant case of overcharging.
Mendoza urged commuters to report similar abuses, emphasizing that the LTFRB will pursue sanctions against drivers and operators who exploit passengers.
