1-Rider Party-list Rep. Bonifacio Bosita (Facebook)

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Board Member lawyer Mercy Leynes admitted to feeling “scared” after 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Bonifacio Bosita threatened to place her in contempt for being dishonest.

“Natakot ako, Mr. Chair, kasi nag-ano siya kanina na magko-contempt po (I was scared, Mr. Chair, because he said earlier that I’ll be cited in contempt),” a trembling Leynes told House Committee on Transportation Chairman Antipolo 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop.

She made this remark during the committee’s motu proprio inquiry on Wednesday, Jan. 31, regarding the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

Prior to this, Bosita threatened to place the LTFRB official in contempt after supposedly lying during an inquiry about the fare increase among modern PUVs in Western Visayas.

“Pambihira, may ebidensiya na nga po ako. Baka gusto niyong magpakulong, hay naku,” the exasperated lawmaker said.

(Ridiculous, I already have the evidence. You might want to be detained, oh my.)

“Mr. Chair, baka first time natin magpakulong ng lawyers (maybe for the first time we will detain lawyers),” he further said.

Leynes, who had been answering the questions of the lawmakers in English, resorted to explaining her side in Filipino, saying that she was frightened by the threat issued on a mere resource person in a committee hearing.

The lady official admitted that there was a fare hike in Western Visayas. However, it was for both modern and traditional jeepneys.

Bosita, a former policeman, later apologized to the LTFRB official and the committee for his threatening remark.

“Nagagalit po ako, hindi dahil for whatever reason, nagagalit po ako on behalf of our kababayan na umiiyak na,” the lawmaker noted.

(I am angry, not because for whatever reason, I am angry on behalf of our countrymen who are already crying.)

“Pasensya po, walang personalan, public service lang. May pang-aabuso po kasi, pasensya po Mr. Chair, kung mali po ako, pasensya po, may pang-aabuso po dito,” he said.

(Sorry, its nothing personal, just public service. There is abuse here, I'm sorry Mr. Chair, if I'm wrong, I'm sorry, there is abuse here.)

The rookie congressman explained that he only got mad because it was apparent that the LTFRB was disregarding the plight of drivers and operators with the obligatory nature of the PUV franchise consolidation.

“Hindi ko po ugali ang manakot, ako po ay nagmamalasakit sa inyo. ‘Pag hindi po natin ito naayos, nalalagay po sa peligro ang buhay na iba nating mga kasama (drivers). I’d be honest with you, marami na po ang nagagalit sa LTFRB dahil dito,” Bosita told Leynes.

(It's not my habit to threaten, I'm only concerned about you. If we don't fix this issue, the lives of our other drivers are put in danger. I'd be honest with you, many people are already angry with the LTFRB because of this.)

“Marami na po ang nagugutom, marami na po ang umiiyak (Many are hungry, many are crying),” he underscored.