LTFRB lifts suspension of bus firm in journalist's death

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) lifted Wednesday the suspension of the franchise of a bus firm implicated in the accident that killed journalist Lourdes “Chit” Simbulan.

Board members Manuel Iway and Julius Garcia signed the order lifting the suspension on Universal Guiding Star’s franchise. LTFRB chairman Nelson Laluces is out of the country at the moment.

In an interview Wednesday afternoon, Iway said the bus company had complied with the requirements set by the board when the preventive suspension was imposed on May 16, three days after the accident happened on May 13 along Commonwealth Avenue. It was supposed to be a 30-day suspension.

According to Iway, the firm sent all its drivers to a seminar and had them undergo drug testing.

Iway said the bus firm also surrendered the license plates of all its units.

“All these requirements had already been met,” he said.

Iway, however, told The STAR that the investigation is still going on whether the board will impose other sanctions on Universal Guiding Star.

“We are still requiring them to explain why their certificate of public conveyance (franchise) should not be cancelled,” Iway stressed.

Iway also clarified that the unit driven by Daniel Espinosa remains suspended and the 27 other units of the company covered by the franchise are the only ones that can now ply their routes.

Espinosa; cabbie Vito Jagunos, who drove for Simbulan; and bus driver Victor Ancheta of Nova Auto Transport face charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and damage to property, abandonment of one’s victim and hit and run.