THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB-7) yesterday suspended for 30 days the franchise of the mini-bus involved in the latest accident in barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.
Its operator, Rodulfo Davidon, was also ordered to appear before LTFRB-7 at 2 p.m. on Nov. 11 to explain why his Certificate of Public Convenience should not be permanently suspended.
Police has identified the second victim as Norlie Guido. He was walking his dog when the mini-bus hit him.
Another victim was Edwin Rago.
Curious onlookers check out the totally wrecked mini-bus involved in last Saturday’s accident in barangay Canduman, Mandaue City. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
“Initial information gathered is that the cause of the accident was due to mechanical defect,” said LTFRB-7 director Reynaldo Elnar yesterday.
Investigation showed that Davidon’s mini-bus driven by Antonio Abatayo lost its brakes and rammed into two jeepneys, Rago and Guido last week.
Police traffic investigator Ruben Cerdena said the victims can file a case against Abatayo and he can be charged with reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries with damage to property.
As of yesterday, Cerdena said no victim has filed a complaint.
Abatayo is still recuperating for his leg injuries at a hospital.
On November 11, Davidon will submit an accident report on why their Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) will not be permanently suspended.
The operator is also asked to submit in five days the drug test result of driver Abatayo and the overall report on the road worthiness inspection from Land Transportation Office (LTO-7).
“We are not suspending the whole fleet. Only the unit under the franchise. On our records, there is one unit registered in this franchise,” Elnar told Cebu Daily News.
Its franchise has been renewed since May 2015. It will expire in the next five years. LTFRB-7 also found out that the mini-bus is already 15 years old.
Under the law, public utility vehicles that are 15 years and above will be phased out.
“They could still use the same franchise but they need to have a brand new vehicle,” Elnar added.
Davidon said yesterday that he has already submitted the accident report to the LTFRB.
He described Abatayo as a careful driver who has been working with him for years.
“I already talked to him and he told me he couldn’t explain why he suddenly lost his brakes,” Davidon said in Cebuano.
Davidon also said he had already shouldered the hospital bills and burial expenses of the victims.
He also gave financial assistance to the family of the fatalities.