Bongbong wants ‘iron fist’ against abusive cab drivers

Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

Vice presidential aspirant and Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has urged authorities to use an “iron fist” against abusive taxi drivers.

In a statement on Saturday, Marcos expressed alarm over the growing number of incidents involving taxi drivers “bullying or even harassing and threatening their passengers”

The senator said the Land Transportation Office (LTO, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the police should “implement tougher but lawful measures to stop bully taxi drivers from terrorizing their passengers.”

“Instant and severe but legal measures might stop arrogant taxi drivers from verbally abusing their passengers or, worse, physically harming them. Of course, they know that they could be charged in court, but it seems these drivers are not scared about it,” he said.

READ: LTFRB suspends taxi after driver hurt passenger with samurai sword

The senator also called on the taxi passengers “to be vigilant and emulate the brave victims who have reported to authorities and filed charges against abusive taxi drivers.”

“Maganda talaga na nakikipagtulungan ang mamamayan sa otoridad (It’s helpful when citizens cooperate with the authorities). That’s why the people should assist the authorities even by just reporting that something wrong has happened, is happening, or is about to happen,” he said.

Recently, a passenger has exposed the rudeness of a taxi driver in Metro Manila who threatened and punched her for not paying additional pay above the metered-fare. Another taxi driver was given a 30-day preventive suspension order after he attacked his passenger with a samurai sword. CDG

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