Licenses of bus drivers caught showing pirated movies may be revoked – LTO

MANILA, Philippines — The drivers of the bus companies caught showing pirated copies of local and international films may face revocation of license, an official of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) said on Thursday.

Roberto Valera, Field Enforcement Division Chief of the Law Enforcement Service of LTO, said that the agency would coordinate with the Optical Media Board (OMB) regarding the case.

“We will coordinate with the OMB on the nature of the violation. We will be evaluating kung ano yung extent ng kanilang kasalanan,” Valero told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview

“From there, we could initiate suspension or revocation proceedings of their licenses based on the findings of OMB,” he added.

According to Valera, if proven that the drivers committed a crime, the driver’s licenses may be suspended for more or less three months as stated under Article 1, Section 27 of Republic Act 4136.

“The Commissioner may suspend for a period not exceeding three months or, after hearing, revoke any driver’s license issued under the provisions of this Act, and may order any such license to be delivered to him whenever he has reason to believe that the holder thereof is an improper person to operate motor vehicles, or in operating or using a motor vehicle in, or as an accessory to, the commission of any crime or act which endangers the public,” the section reads.

“Any deputy of the Commissioner may, for the same cause, suspend for a period not exceeding three months any driver’s license issued under the provisions of this Act: Provided, That such suspension may be appealed to the Commissioner who may, after reviewing the case, confirm, reverse or modify the action taken by such deputy,” the section continues.

If in any case that the drivers were also found not carrying their licenses during the operation conducted by the OMB, Valera said that this would still be a different case. This, another penalty would be imposed on the drivers, he added.

The statement of Valera stemmed after the OMB caught Metro Manila Bus Co., Saulog Transit, and SanTrans Corp. showing a pirated copy of “Hello, Love, Goodbye” and “Avengers: Endgame” during a raid at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.

Aside from this, the board also found “multiple pirated movies” in the confiscated USB flash drives of the said companies.

READ: Buses caufgr showing bootlegged “Hello Love, Goodbye,” other films

Meanwhile, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin Delgra said that it would also coordinate with the OMB regarding the matter as the agency has the jurisdiction on the matter.

“Should OMB file a complaint with the LTFRB, the Board will hear the complaint,” he told INQUIRER.net.

The LTFRB is an agency connected to the Department of Transportation which is mandated to “regulate land-based public transportation, and to safeguard the welfare and interests of the commuting public.”

It also has the power to revoke franchises of public utility vehicles upon the end of en banc hearings and if with justifiable reason.

Meanwhile, according to the law, piracy is punishable by up to six years imprisonment as well as fine of up to P1.5 million.

OMB earlier said it already tapped the Philippine National Police – Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) to take action on the proliferation of bootlegged “Hello, Love, Goodbye.”

READ: OMB taps PNP-ACG over ‘Hello Love Goodbye online piracy