LTFRB asks LTO to suspend license of jeepney driver in viral body-shaming incident
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has asked the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to suspend the driver’s license of a jeepney driver who was accused of body-shaming his female passenger.
LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said the request for the suspension of driver’s license Arneto Palisan was made through a resolution approved by the agency’s Board after a hearing was conducted.
Based on the LTFRB Board Resolution, the evidence presented in the hearing of the body-shaming case, tilts in favor of the complainant under the Safe Spaces Act in public transportation.
“It is as clear as the day that the driver, his conductor as well as the operator is at fault in this instance,” the Board resolution read.
“The act of the driver and his conductor is not only abominable but has no place in a civilized society. The degradation and humiliation suffered by the complainant coupled with the brazen admission and unapologetic behavior of the driver and his conductor deserved scant penalty from this office,” it added.
The incident happened in Parañaque City where the 29-year old female victim was allegedly asked to disembark from the passenger jeepney for being overweight.
The incident went viral on social media after the victim posted the incident on Facebook.
The LTFRB earlier condemned the incident and vowed to look into the matter, which later led to the conduct of the investigation.
“The Board hereby recommends to the Land Transportation Office that the driver’s license of Mr. Arneto Palisan, be suspended in accordance with Republic Act 4136,” the LTFRB said in its order dated June 25.
Aside from suspending the driver’s license, LTFRB will impose a P15,000 fine to the driver as well as to the jeepney owner for employing a discourteous driver, for failure to convey passengers, and for the driver’s and conductor’s unwanted comments on the passenger’s physical appearance.
The LTFRB also gave jeepney operators and drivers a stern warning that should similar acts be repeated the Board shall deal with the matter.