Cabbie loses license, but given chance to answer charges
A TAXI operator turned over the license of its driver accused of groping a female passenger last month to the regional Land Transportation Office (LTO-7) yesterday.
But LTO-7 operations chief Joel Maloloy-on said the driver, identified as Elmer Jalalon, is given a second chance to explain his side and prove his innocence in a hearing scheduled next Monday, Nov. 9.
Jalalon drove a Richielda taxi with body number 0757 and plate number GXL 860.
“It (license) was turned over by the company last week hoping that he would appear here (LTO-7),” Maloloy-on told Cebu Daily News.
What will happen if Jalalon won’t show up on Monday?
Maloloy-on said Jalalon will encounter problems in terms of renewing his license. His license will expire on May 2, 2017.
LTO-7 director Arnel Tancinco said it is also possible that his license will be suspended.
Emil Membrillas, asst. information officer of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB-7), said they gave Jalalon five days to answer the female passenger’s affidavit.
“He was unable to answer the affidavit. He is no longer working with the firm,” Membrillas added.
Membrillas said taxi operator Richard Cabucos, who’s also the president of Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association, will appear before the LTFRB-7 office on November 11.
“He will answer the affidavit too in behalf of the company. There is a possibility that the LTFRB will also endorse to LTO for the revocation of the driver’s license,” Membrillas said. Jalalon was accused by a pharmaceutical employee of groping her left leg.
The 24-year-old employee was with her aunt, cousin and two helpers when they rode the taxi from Ayala Center Cebu last October 23.
They were headed to Guizo, Mandaue City at the time. The employee sat at the front seat when the driver allegedly groped her leg and said that he wanted to have sex.
The employee said Jalalon also drove over the speed limit and into a dimly lit area while claiming that he was unfamiliar with the route.
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