PH taxi driver gets lifetime driving ban for scamming foreign vlogger

MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Tuesday permanently revoked the driver’s license of a taxi driver and effectively imposed a lifetime ban on his eligibility to obtain any type of driver’s license after he was caught overcharging a foreign vlogger.

Following a hearing conducted by the LTO's Intelligence and Investigation Division, the driver was found guilty of being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle and of overcharging a foreign passenger.

The LTO said it will continue to act against those who take advantage of passengers to protect the public and ensure safe and orderly transport service.

The taxi remains impounded and under alarm status in accordance with the show-cause order previously issued against the driver.

The case stemmed from a viral Facebook post on the page "MY RIDE PH" on Aug. 6, which showed the driver allegedly attempting to charge a foreign passenger PHP2,000 for a ride from the airport to his destination.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao ordered an investigation that identified the driver and the taxi's registered owner, and found that the vehicle's registration had expired.

The driver was also found to have pending administrative cases for other traffic violations.

"Hindi lamang panlilinlang sa mga pasahero ang overcharging, kundi isang paglapastangan sa tiwala ng publiko at sa integridad ng ating pampublikong transportasyon (Overcharging is not just deception against passengers, but a violation of public trust and the integrity of our public transportation)," Lacanilao said.

-Philippine News Agency