LTFRB suspends 2nd bus firm tagged in journalist's death

MANILA, Philippines - After lifting the suspension on the franchise of the first bus firm implicated in the death of Lourdes Simbulan, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspended yesterday a franchise held by Nova Auto Transport Inc., whose bus was also tagged in the fatal accident.

Based on recent findings by the police and testimonies by new witnesses, it was the Nova bus driven by Victor Ancheta that allegedly first hit the taxicab carrying Simbulan on the night of May 13.

On Wednesday, the LTFRB lifted the suspension on the franchise of Universal Guiding Star, whose unit and driver, Daniel Espinosa, was first implicated in the accident along Commonwealth Avenue.

The board ruled that Universal Guiding Star had complied with the requirements set when the prevention suspension imposed three days after the accident. However, the LTFRB is waiting for the bus firm to explain why its franchise should not be permanently cancelled.

Board members Manuel Iway and Julius Garcia signed the order imposing the one-month suspension order on Nova Auto Transport. LTFRB chairman Nelson Laluces is currently out of the country.

Iway said the company is also required to surrender the plates of the units covered by the suspended franchise and subject all its drivers to drug testing and a refresher course.

Iway told The STAR that Nova Auto Transport has other franchises apart from the one that was suspended. The suspended franchise covers 10 units, including the one driven by Ancheta on the night of the accident.