LTFRB summons Valisno bus operator

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has set another hearing on the suspension order filed against Valisno Express on Aug. 25 after its operator failed to attend the last hearing. 

LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said the board has issued a show cause order against Rosalinda Valisno, operator of the Valisno Express to appear for the hearing on Tuesday. 

On Aug. 18, the LTFRB held a hearing but Valisno failed to attend. Her secretary, Vivian Martinez, said her boss became depressed after one of the firm’s buses figured in a crash that killed four persons and injured 18 passengers in Quezon City.

“She says she is not ready to go to the hearing, but the board said she has to attend,” Martinez said.

Ginez said Valisno will be held in contempt and arrested should she fail to attend.

LTFRB member Ariel Inton clarified that the board’s decision will still depend on why Valisno would not attend the hearing on Tuesday. 

“If she has a medical certificate and her reason is believable, we will give her the benefit of the doubt,” he said.

The LTFRB has also issued a cause order against George Pacis, the driver of the ill-fated Valisno bus. 

Senior Inspector Marlon Meman, chief of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Traffic Sector 2, said Pacis is still in jail. 

He said the owner of Valisno Express has visited Pacis and said they will prioritize giving benefits to the victims’ families before they process his case.

Meman said Pacis has yet to hire a lawyer. The court has yet to set bail on the charges of reckless driving resulting in damage to property with multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries and violating Article 275 of the Revised Penal Code (abandoning a person in danger or one’s own victim). 

Inton said they will ask the court handling Pacis’ case to allow him to attend the LTFRB hearing.