Valisno bus firm loses franchise over fatal crash

THE LAND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has revoked the franchise of Valisno Express for 24 buses, almost a month after one of the units crashed into a concrete boundary marker and left four passengers dead.

In a decision dated Sept. 10, the LTFRB cited the “recklessness of the driver” of the ill-fated bus, attributing his behavior to subsequent findings that he took the illegal drug “shabu” prior to the Aug. 12 incident.

The board also noted that the bus involved in the accident was unregistered and that the fleet’s operator, Rosalinda Valisno, had evaded liability in a labor dispute by misrepresenting the bus as a unit operated by another entity, Gaseco Corp.

Two passengers were killed on the spot when the Valisno bus driven by George Pacis slammed into a concrete marker in the boundary of Quezon City and Caloocan City on Quirino Highway. Of the 18 injured passengers, two died later while undergoing treatment.

Pacis is facing charges for reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property with multiple homicide and multiple injuries, abandonment of victims, and violation of the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act.

The LTFRB immediately suspended the entire Valisno fleet of 51 buses following the road crash.

The company has four francises for the 51 units but only the franchise for 24, including the bus driven by Pacis, was revoked.

The yellow plates of the 24 units were also confiscated and ordered destroyed. Erika Sauler