The Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced Tuesday it has filed criminal charges against the driver and operator of a taxi that went viral for allegedly overcharging a passenger P1,300 for a short trip between Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II said a case for violation of Section 18 in relation to Section 24 of Commonwealth Act 146, as amended by Republic Act 11659, or the Public Service Act, was filed on 23 June with the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office. The charges name both the male driver and the female operator.

Mendoza explained that the charges stem from an investigation revealing the taxi in question was registered as a private vehicle, not a public utility vehicle (PUV).

According to the eight-page complaint filed, the case began after a video uploaded by the victim-passenger gained traction on social media. During the probe, the driver admitted to overcharging his passenger on 11 June at NAIA Terminal 2 for a trip to Terminal 3.

In compliance with an order from Secretary Dizon to investigate the incident further, the LTO discovered the taxi was illegally picking up passengers because it was not registered as a PUV.

Coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) confirmed the taxi lacked either a Provisional Authority or a franchise to operate, making its passenger-fetching activities illegal. This led to the inclusion of the taxi’s operator in the charges.

“Respondents’ conduct undermines the public trust and safety framework established by transportation laws. By exercising the functions of a common carrier or a public utility without securing proper authority from the government, they directly violate franchising laws meant to ensure regulated and safe public transportation,” the LTO complaint read.

“The illegal activity committed by Respondents is not an isolated incident but part of a broader, systemic abuse of public utility vehicle franchises in transport hubs. These acts betray the purpose of regulatory laws and expose commuters to unfair practices,” it added.

Mendoza said that the LTO filed a strong case with sufficient documentation to secure convictions for both the driver and the operator.

“Let this serve as a strong message that we will not allow any abuses. As Secretary Dizon said, such actions will no longer be tolerated in the Bagong Pilipinas,” Mendoza said.

He urged passengers and the public, particularly netizens, to report any similar abuses by motorists, especially those in the public transport sector, to the LTO and the Department of Transportation.