Woman, taxi driver reconcile in hearing

CEBU, Philippines - The 65-year-old taxi passenger who complained of overcharging, discourtesy and arrogance against the driver formally withdrew her complaints due to humanitarian reasons.

Complainant Flora Sameon and taxi driver Carlito Flores faced each other in a hearing at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 office yesterday.

"Nahiubos gyud ko kay imoha kong gisingkahan. Wa pa gani ko nimo gitabangan kahibalo ka nga daghan ko og dala," Sameon said to the driver.

The driver admitted raising his voice but he said it was the complainant who allegedly raised her voice first.

Flores was with his wife during the meeting.

"Ayaw og pamakak kay naa ang Ginoo. Ikaw ang nagsige og yawyaw kay wa nako natarong og sira ang pultahan. Ako-a na lang gihilak ang akong kahi-ubos nimo pag-abot nako sa amoa," Sameon said.

As to the charge of overcharging, Flores admitted that he did not bother to give the change thinking that the passenger purposely did not intend to take the change.

"Imoha pa kong gikasab-an, wa pa gyud ka nihatag og sukli," said the woman passenger, who rode on Flores' taxi from a mall in Colon to Sanciangco Street the other day.

Sameon's fare was P57.50 and she gave P60 to the driver. She did not receive change, to which Flores admitted.

LTFRB-7 hearing officer Edwin Antepuesto said drivers should not presume that passengers do not want to receive their change.

"Di gyud dapat mo-presume ang mga drivers. Bisan ang pasahero di mangayo og sukli ug discount, dapat mohatag gyud mo. Di kay magpaabot pa mo sa pasahero," Antepuesto said.

The taxi operator can be held to pay P5,000 and the driver P1,000 for overcharging passengers, said Antepuesto.

Sameon, assisted by her daughter, opted to forgive the driver, who asked for forgiveness, which in effect formally withdrew the complaint.

In the end, the parties shook hands with each other. (FREEMAN)