The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued a show cause order against the operator of a taxi accused of overcharging Korean singer Soobin in Cebu. LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza called it a serious offense that tarnishes the country's image internationally. The operator was also ordered to surrender the vehicle's license plate and the driver's license.
The incident appeared in a vlog by Soobin, leader of Tomorrow X Together, in Cebu. Soobin said the trip fare should have been P300, but the driver raised it to P500 due to high gas prices, then doubled it to P1,000 upon arrival.
Soobin refused to pay the increased amount and told the driver he would report the matter. "This is a serious offense especially that this incident puts the name of our country in bad light in the international community. The viral video itself is already strong evidence," LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza said.
The LTFRB ordered the operator to explain and surrender the taxi's license plate and the driver's license. While gas prices have risen due to the Middle East conflict, a planned fare hike for most land vehicles was suspended.