The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) recommended the suspended the license of the jeepney driver accused of body-shaming a passenger.
On June 14, the board requested the appearance of Arneto Palisan (the involved driver), Flora Magtibay and Romeo Guererro (the franchise owners), and Joy Gutierrez (the complainant), for a hearing regarding the humiliating affair. Gutierrez said that she boarded the vehicle along NAIA Avenue in Paranaque City in the evening. While seated, the conductress of the said vehicle shouted to the driver that fat passengers are prohibited to board.
After much persuasion, Palisan ordered that Gutierrez that get out of the vehicle, as her weight would cause their tires to flatten. Gutierrez initially ignored the remarks, choosing to remain on her seat. She decided to get off along a nearby gas station instead, due to embarrassment.
Succeeding the hearing, the board settled that all evidence are in favor of Gutierrez, adding that the actions made by Palisan and his wife “had no place in a civilized society.”
The complaint filed is in violation of the Safe Spaces Act in public transportation. The board required that the jeepney operator pay a fine of P15,000, along with the suspension of Palisan’s license in accordance to Republic Act No. 4136, the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
