THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) issued a 90-day preventive suspension on the license of a taxi driver caught in a viral video charging P10,000 fare to a foreign tourist at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In the Show Cause Order (SCO) issued to the driver of the taxi (ABG 7845), LTO chief Atty. Vigor Mendoza II said the driver, Arnel Arce, was ordered to explain why no sanction would be imposed against him for overcharging a passenger, being discourteous and arrogant to passengers and violation of the franchise.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista earlier disclosed that the entire fleet of the taxi company that owns the cab will no longer be allowed to operate at the NAIA.

The incident, which went viral in the social media, was a clear violation of the law, according to Mendoza.

He said the investigation they conducted led to the identification of the taxi through CCTV and later resulted in the identification of the driver.

The taxi was seen in the parking area of the taxi company in Valenzuela City and based on the statement of the operator after the video went viral, Acle told them that he would go on vacation in his province.

Acle, however, did not report for work since he last appeared to remit his earnings to the taxi owner on Dec. 19 and is believed to have gone into hiding.

“We are now coordinating with the Philippine National Police and our local offices to locate this man. Hindi tayo papayag na palampasin na lang ang ginawa niya dahil nagdulot ito ng kahihiyan sa ating bansa, at sa lahat ng Pilipino,” said Mendoza.

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Jun I. Legaspi