LTFRB to LTO: Punish motorist for hitting cabbie

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) wants the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to suspend the driver’s license of a female motorist seen in a viral video striking a taxi driver during a traffic altercation in Quezon City over the weekend.

LTFRB spokesperson Aileen Lizada said they will support Virgilio Doctor, 52, in filing a complaint against the motorist, identified as Cherish Charmaine Interior, 31, before the LTO.

Doctor, who survived a stroke in 2014, and his operator went to the LTFRB yesterday to file a complaint.

“We will file charges with the LTO. We want to let the LTO to decide if this kind of driver is fit to drive,” Lizada said.

Doctor and Interior also filed charges of unjust vexation, slight physical injury and malicious mischief against each other before the Quezon City Police District Station 3.

Doctor, who has been driving taxis for more than 10 years, told reporters the altercation began at a stoplight along Congressional Avenue yesterday when he tried to overtake Interior’s vehicle.

Interior blocked him, stopped the vehicle and stepped out. She was caught on video hitting Doctor in the face and trying to dismante the taxi’s side mirror.

Doctor said prior to hitting him, Interior grabbed a tube or golf club and repeatedly hit his taxi.

Lizada said Interior’s behavior indicates she should not have the privilege of driving and that she does not respect the elderly.

She said while there are erring taxi drivers, they should not be treated this way. “We should give them respect,” she told reporters.