LTFRB fines abusive, colorum Uber driver P200k, cancels his franchise app

MANILA — The Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) en banc has fined Uber driver Nicolo Lizaso P200,000 and cancelled his franchise application for threatening to hit a stewardess with a metal pipe.

The order approved by LTFRB Chair Winston Ginez and the board on Thursday, penalized Lizaso for operating a public utility vehicle without proper authority based on the joint Administrative order no 2014-01.

In a Facebook post last Sept. 24, Christine Fulgencio, a flight stewardess, said she rode Lizaso’s Toyota Vios, which did not have a conduction sticker, from Valle Verde in Pasig City on Sept. 24.

Lizaso, she said, threw a fit against her, cussed and threatened to hit her with a steel pipe when she failed to precisely state her destination. Lizaso even sped away and escaped from the guards of Valle Verde 6 who tried to apprehend him, an investigation showed.

The LTFRB immediately acted on the viral post on social media regarding Lizaso’s alleged arrogance, threat to the life of a passenger, and unauthorized use of a public utility vehicle.

LTFRB, in its decision, found no merit in Lizaso’s explanation that his alleged threats and arrogance “were occasioned by the complainant’s own arrogance, condescension, discrimination, and prejudice, and that he was merely acting to defend his own honor and dignity.”

The agency added the driver did not have a certificate of public convenience or a provisional authority to provide transport services as a common carrier. Any vehicle with Lizaso’s conduction sticker YP7587 will be apprehended or impounded as it was already blacklisted from operating.

“There is no room for violent drivers in public transportation whether in taxi, jeepneys, bus or even TNVS,” lawyer and LTFRB board member Antonio Enrile-Inton, Jr., said.

LTFRB would also recommend to the Land Transportation Office proper sanctions against Lizaso’s driver’s License, he added.  SFM