Jeepney driver fined P15,000 for ‘body-shaming’ passenger

Screengrab from the viral TikTok video posted by Joysh Gutierrez on June 8, 2024 where the jeepney driver allegedly asked her to get out of the vehicle because of her weight.

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has asked the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to suspend the license of a jeepney driver found to have “body-shamed” a female passenger in Parañaque City earlier this month.

“The Board hereby recommends to the LTO that the driver’s license of Mr. Arneto Palisan be suspended in accordance with Republic Act No. 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code),” LTFRB-National Capital Region (NCR) director Zona Russet Tamayo said in an order dated June 25 and made public on Wednesday.

READ: ‘Body-shamed’ passenger files complaint vs jeepney driver, owners

The LTFRB-NCR also imposed a P15,000 fine on Palisan and the registered operators of his jeepney, namely Flora Magtibay, Romeo Guerrero and Double A Transport Corp.

The fine on the operators was for the following administrative offenses: employing a discourteous driver, failure to convey passengers, and the driver’s and his conductor’s unwarranted comments about the passenger’s physical appearance.

According to the order, the evidence presented by the complainant, Joy Gutierrez, during the hearing of her case “tilts in favor of the complainant.”

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

Clearly ‘at fault’

“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-NCR 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. Not only must the full force of this office’s powers be implemented but also the contumacious act of the driver and the conductor be condemned,” it added

In her complaint, Gutierrez accused Palisan of body-shaming her while on board his Baclaran-bound jeepney, then passing through Dr. A. Santos Avenue (formerly Sucat Road) in Parañaque on June 8.

Forced to get off

Palisan and his wife, who served as the conductor, pointedly told Gutierrez that fat persons were not allowed on the jeepney for it may suffer a flat tire.

During the trip, she said the couple continued to utter humiliating words directed at her, forcing her to get off the vehicle to avoid further embarrassment.

Gutierrez later uploaded a video on Facebook, partially showing the encounter.

On June 10, the LTFRB issued a show-cause order directing the complainant, franchise owner and the driver involved to appear for a hearing on June 14.

No settlement

The parties appeared but failed to reach an amicable settlement.

Gutierrez stood by her complaint and offered to withdraw the case if she gets an apology from Palisan and his wife.

The couple, however, claimed that it was Gutierrez who acted arrogantly, as she also insulted them, and that it was the passenger who owed them an apology.

—JEROME ANING