Hearing on accused cabbie scheduled next Thursday

Taxi driver Joel Ramos (left) explains his side at an LTFRB inquiry as complainant Dave Say Horca sits across him listening. Next hearing is set on Thursday. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)

The Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB-7) scheduled the continuation of the hearing between call center Dave Say Horca and taxi driver Joel Ramos at 2 p.m. next Thursday.

Horca and Ramos were asked to present witnesses before LTFRB-7 hearing officer Edwin Antupuesto after their respective accounts were heard last Thursday afternoon.

“It is really hard to make resolution on the matter when both parties have different versions,” LTFRB-7 Regional Director Reynaldo Elnar

Last Thursday, Ramos denied throwing two P5 coins and pointing a knife at Horca and his wife at the I3 building in I.T Park last Monday night.

“We will proceed accordingly,  based on the available sworn statements of both parties,” Antepuesto told Cebu Daily News in a text message.

The LTFRB-7 has no jurisdiction in recommending in filing charges. ” Our jurisdiction is only on violations of franchise based on Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 2014-01,” he added.

Elnar said the LTFRB-7 cannot impose sanctions on the two violations that were initially identified as arrogance and overcharging after Ramos denied this during the hearing with Horca.

Based on the JAO, the driver will pay P1,000 for each violation while for operator will pay P5,000 each. Antonio Enrile Inton Jr., LTFRB board member, is appealing to the drivers and operators to respect the P10 taxi fare rollback.

“The best legal remedy (drivers and operators) is to file motion for reconsideration (MR) instead of arguing against passenger,” Inton told Cebu Daily News.

Related Stories:

TWO TAXI TALES

Threatened by cab driver

Cab driver denies poking knife; passengers