LTFRB: Suspend license of jeepney driver who body-shamed passenger

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MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has recommended suspending the license of the jeepney driver who allegedly body-shamed a passenger.

The recommendation was made through an order addressed to the Land Transportation Office issued on June 25.

READ: LTFRB issues show cause order vs. driver who body-shamed passenger

“The Board hereby recommends to the Land Transportation Office that the driver’s license of Mr. Arneto Palisan, be suspended in accordance with RA 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code),” the LTFRB said in a statement on Wednesday.

The agency also said it will impose a P15,000 penalty on Palisan and Flora Magtibay and Romeo Guerrero, the registered owners of the vehicle with plate number NWJ221, “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.”

It noted in its statement that the evidence presented during the hearing last June 14, “tilts in favor of the complainant.”

“It is as clear as the day that the driver, his conductor as well as the operator is at fault in this instance,” the LTFRB said.

“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.

READ: Driver on body-shaming issue is sorry but claims his image was also ruined

In a viral TikTok video posted on June 8, complainant Joy Gutierrez said that the jeepney driver shouted at her, asking her to get out of the vehicle because of her weight. It was a gross violation of the Safe Spaces Act on public transportation, the LTFRB said.