(Photo courtesy of PNA)
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday recommended the suspension of the license and issuance of a fine to a public utility jeepney (PUJ) driver who body-shamed a passenger.
In an order signed by LTO National Capital Region Regional Director Zona Russet Tamayo, the LTFRB recommended to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) the suspension of the driver’s license of PUJ driver Arneto Palisan in accordance with Republic Act No. 4136.
Aside from license suspension, the LTFRB will impose a PHP15,000 fine on Palisan and the PUJ owner 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 is as clear as the day that the driver, his conductor as well as the operator is at fault in this instance,” it said.
It slammed the actions of the PUJ driver and conductor as “abominable” and “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 a scant penalty from this office,” it said.
PUJ drivers and operators are also warned that similar violations will be punished.
In June, a certain Joy Gutierrez filed a complaint against Palisan and his conductor for body-shaming her while onboard their PUJ – a violation of the Safe Spaces Act in public transportation. (PNA)