LTFRB chief won't be sacked despite fatal bus mishaps

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang has assured that the chairman of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) still has the trust and confidence of Pres. Benigno Aquino III despite recent bus accidents including one that killed comedian and artist Arvin "Tado" Jimenez.

Communications Sec. Sonny Coloma said the LTRFB under the leadership of Chairman Winston Ginez continues to inspect public utility vehicles and that the government is taking steps to reduce the occurrence of road accidents.

"Wala pa pong isang taon iyong paglilingkod ni Chairman Ginez. Simula po noong naupo siya ay ginawa naman niya at ginagawa naman niya ang mga nararapat kaya’t hindi naman po… medyo may kalabisan iyong pagsasabi na walang ginawa o hindi ginagawa ang tungkulin," Coloma said at a press briefing on Sunday.

Coloma said while accidents are unpredictable, the government continues to implement the right standards and regulations to assure public road safety.

He said regular and surprise inspections of buses and terminals will also be conducted.

"Road worthiness or kakayahang makapagbiyahe nang ligtas ang pangunahing focus ng pamahalaan para matiyak ang kaligtasan ng mga mamamayan sa kanilang pagbiyahe," Coloma said.

On Friday, Jimenez and more than a dozen others were killed when the Florida Trans passenger bus that they were riding plunged into a 150-meter deep ravine in Bontoc, Mountain Province.

Read: Comedian Tado is dead

Citing Ginez, Coloma said the LTFRB did not authorize the operation of the ill-fated bus, which was previously owned by another operator.

According to a previous STAR report, initial investigation showed that the license plate TXT-872 used by the ill-fated bus was actually registered to Norberto Cue Sr. of Mt. Province Cable Tours.

The LTFRB has imposed a 30-day suspension that covers 228 buses of G.V. Florida Transport and 10 buses registered to Cue.

Read: Bus firm in mishap suspended for 30 days

Last December 2013, a Don Mariano Transit bound for Pacita Complex, San Pedro City, Laguna, fell from the Skyway in Taguig City.

Several people were killed and injured after the bus crushed the van on the southbound lane of the South Luzon Express Way service road.