Not even a week after a Thai tourist was allegedly charged PHP 5,500 for a short taxi ride between NAIA Terminal 3 and Terminal 1, another airport taxi overcharging incident has gone viral on social media.

This time, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) ordered a 90-day preventive suspension against a taxi driver accused of attempting to overcharge another foreign passenger.

The video showed a taxi driver, along with another individual, demanding PHP 2,000 from a foreign passenger for a “5-minute ride from the airport to hotel.”

The back-to-back incidents have once again put the spotlight on airport taxi overcharging, an issue that continues to hurt the country’s reputation among foreign visitors, and even locals.

LTO Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao immediately ordered an investigation to identify the driver and the registered owner of the taxi involved.

“Overcharging is not only a form of deception against passengers, but also an affront to public trust and the integrity of our public transportation system. I will make sure that anyone proven to have violated the law will be held accountable,” said Lacanilao.

The probe identified both the driver and the registered owner, as well as uncovering additional violations. Aside from the taxi’s expired registration, the driver was also found to have pending administrative cases involving other traffic law and regulatory offenses.

Both the driver and the registered owner have been directed to appear before the LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) to submit sworn statements and explain why they should not be charged with violation of Compulsory Registration of Motor Vehicles and Overcharging. They must also justify why administrative penalties should not be imposed, including the possible revocation of the driver’s license for being an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle.

Pending the outcome of the case, the LTO ordered the immediate surrender of the driver’s license, which will remain under a 90-day preventive suspension. The taxi has likewise been placed under alarm status, with LTO personnel and deputized law enforcement officers instructed to impound the vehicle if it is found operating due to its expired registration.

Update: The LTO has since tracked down the driver at what appears to be Seda Vertis North and impounded the taxi. Authorities caught him still picking up passengers despite the earlier complaint and the ongoing investigation.

Inspectors also found additional violations, including a defective headlight and breach of franchise, both of which carry separate administrative penalties.

Incidents like these don’t just hurt passengers. They also damage our country’s reputation among foreign tourists, despite the Department of Tourism’s continued efforts to promote the Philippines abroad.