LTFRB issues show cause order vs Valisno bus operator
August 17, 2015 | 10:48pm
MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday issued a show cause order against the operator and the driver of the Valisno bus that figured in a fatal accident in Quezon City to attend the next hearing at the agency.
The board issued the order after bus operator Rosalinda Valisno failed to attend the hearing regarding the road mishap that resulted in the deaths of four passengers and injury of 18 others.
The bus operator's lawyer, Francisco Blanes, only attended the hearing at the LTFRB main office on East Avenue, Quezon City.
Blanes told the board members that his client failed to attend the hearing because she has been depressed since the accident happened.
However, the lawyer could not produce to a medical certificate to bolster his claim on Valisno's condition.
Board member Ariel Inton said the bus operator could face a jail term if she fails to attend the second hearing next week.
"Puwede siyang (Valisno) ipakulong kasi may contempt powers ang LTFRB," Inton said in an interview.
Inton said Blanes also expressed willingness to present bus driver George Pacis during the next hearing.
"Baka daw piyansihan nila 'yung driver kasi nakakulong ngayon," Inton said.
Pacis was arrested and jailed after he fled the crash site along Quirino Highway in Quezon City. He was tested positive for illegal drug use.
Inton said Blanes could not produce any evidence to justify the lifting of the 30-day suspension order imposed on the bus company.
Meanwhile, Blanes told the board that the bus firm could not surrender some of the yellow plates of the entire fleet because they are still with the apprehending agency such as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority or a traffic division of the local government unit.
"Kasi marami daw ang nasa MMDA o local government na humuli sa kanila kaya 'yung iba isa lang ang plakang nai-surrender," Inton said.
Inton said the bus company should be able to prove that the plates are in the custody of a traffic enforcement body because the board will make an inventory of how many yellow plates have been turned over to LTFRB.
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