A taxi driver facing a complaint from a woman who said she was assaulted after falling asleep in his cab admitted under oath that sexual activity took place inside his vehicle, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) said, as it permanently revoked his license.
The admission came out during a hearing before the agency’s Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID), where the driver also confirmed he was the one driving the taxi in the early hours of September 12, 2026.
“Sa isinagawang imbestigasyon at pagdinig ng Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID), kinumpirma ng driver na siya ang nagmamaneho ng naturang taxi noong Setyembre 12, 2026, bandang alas-tres ng madaling-araw. Sa kanyang sinumpaang salaysay, inamin din ng driver na nagkaroon ng sekswal na aktibidad sa loob ng kanyang sasakyan,” the agency said.
According to the female passenger’s complaint, she dozed off during the ride and was never brought to the destination she had set. She said the driver took her somewhere else, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her.
LTO chief Markus Lacanilao said the penalty was meant to send a message to the public transport sector.
“Hindi natin pinapalampas ang anumang uri ng pang-aabuso sa kalsada, lalo na kung sangkot ang mga pampasaherong sasakyan na may malaking pananagutan sa kaligtasan at kapakanan ng kanilang mga pasahero. Magsisilbing babala ito sa lahat ng driver at operator na huwag tularan ang ganitong uri ng pagkakamali,” Lacanilao said.
Both the driver and the taxi’s operator had earlier been issued show cause orders. The agency found the operator liable for breaching franchise conditions and for employing a discourteous driver. The taxi is still flagged under alarm status.
The driver himself was declared unfit to operate a motor vehicle. With his license perpetually revoked, he can no longer apply for a driver’s license of any type.
