
LTFRB wants body shamer’s license suspended
THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has recommended to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to suspend the license of a jeepney driver who body-shamed a passenger.
“The Board hereby recommends to the Land Transportation Office that the driver’s license of Mr. Arneto Palisan, be suspended in accordance with RA 4136,” the LTFRB said in its order dated June 25, 2024.
Aside from suspending the driver’s license, LTFRB will impose a P15,000 fine to the driver as well as to jeepney 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.
According to the LTFRB Board, the evidence presented in the hearing of the body-shaming case, “tilts in favor of the complainant.”
“It is as clear as the day that the driver, his conductor as well as the operator is at fault in this instance.
“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,” the LTFRB Board said.
The LTFRB also gave jeepney operators and drivers a stern warning that should similar acts be repeated the Board shall deal with the matter accordingly.
It can be recalled that complainant Joy Gutierrez has filed the complaint against the driver and his conductor for body-shaming her while onboard the PUJ, a gross violation of safe spaces act in public transportation.
On June 10, the LTFRB issued a show cause order directing the complainant, franchise owner, and the involved driver to appear for a hearing on June 14.