Tuesday, November 04, 2008 Edsa mishap driver banned from driving PUVs
THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Monday that the bus driver who figured in a traffic accident along Edsa last month that killed a prominent doctor may no longer be allowed to drive any bus, jeepney, taxi or any other public utility vehicle (PUV) for at least one year.
LTFRB chairman Thompson Lantion said the recommendation against Martinito Madrid, driver of the Joanna Jesh bus company, was approved following hearings on the accident that killed Dr. Francisco Sarabia and injured three others.
"We recommended to ban him (Madrid) from driving buses for one year, and to ban him from driving any public utility vehicle (PUV)," Lantion said.
Madrid was the driver of the Joanna Jesh bus that slammed into a Mercedes sedan driven by Sarabia. The impact caused the sedan to burst into flames, killing the later instantly.
Police said the bus was "racing" with another bus when it hit Sarabia's car.
The drivers of Joanna Jesh were also made to undergo a retraining and seminar on traffic safety at the University of the Philippines (UP).
Lantion said the drivers are expected to complete their course on November 6.
The LTFRB has also suspended for 30 days two traffic routes of the bus company in Metro Manila in the wake of the deadly mishap.
In a related development, Lantion said the agency is also likely to suspend the franchise of the bus company that was involved in a tragic accident in Pampanga last Saturday for at least 30 days.
He said the suspension will affect all 10 units of the Fermina Express line, whose routes include Alabang, Tarlac and Dau town in Pampanga.
"The suspension will take effect while our investigation on the accident is ongoing," Lantion said.
He said LTFRB Central Luzon office recommended the cease-and-desist order based on the initial report of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the matter.
"Before the show-cause order is issued, the LTFRB can recommend a cease-and-desist order on the bus firm," he said.
At least five people were killed after a Fermina bus that was overtaking another vehicle collided head-on with a Toyota Revo along North Luzon Expressway (Nlex) in Pampanga. (AH/Sunnex)
