Taxi drivers refusing passengers is common in the Philippines, but it’s not always caught on camera. Facebook user Charmaine Abana, however, was able to capture one such experience which she shared on the social media platform yesterday.
The now-viral video shows how a taxi driver refused to drive her to her destination when she said she wouldn’t pay more than what was on the taxi’s meter.
Abana says in the post that she was running late for work yesterday and couldn’t book through the Grab app.
“I decided to take a cab rather from California Garden Square [in Mandaluyong City] to One Corporate Center [in Pasig City], which is about 2.8km away,” she said.
“The driver asked me for an additional charge on top of the [taxi’s] meter, when I declined his request he asked me to leave and refuse to convey.”
The video shows Abana and her driver bickering about the additional fare.
“You can’t choose your passengers,” Abana told the driver in Filipino.
“We have a right,” the driver replied.
When she stood her ground and refused to pay for the additional charge, the driver told her to get off.
But Abana didn’t oblige.
Although not seen on the video, Abana said that when the driver raised his hand as if about to hit her when he noticed that she was recording their confrontation.
“What, are you going to hit me?” Abana can be heard saying.
Frustrated, the driver got out of the can and started smoking, which Abana took as her cue to leave as well.
Abana said that she “wanted to raise awareness [about] how cab drivers could be so aggressive” by uploading the video.
Her video had 24,000 views and 500 shares as of this article’s posting. Netizens were alarmed, but not shocked as these sort of scenarios happen often here in the Philippines.
Maria Victoria Robles wrote in Filipino: “Fuck that guy!!! He even wanted to hit you!!!”
“Report him to the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board),” said Ellen Pagulayan.
Aki Cordova said: “You’re brave girl. I got scared by your video. HAHA.”
Dhea Manuel, Abana’s friend, tagged LTFRB and wrote: “Please help my friend. She is traumatized because of what happened. She can barely speak and every time she sees a taxi driver, she just starts crying. Justice for Charmaine!!!!!!!!”
“That driver’s an asshole,” Kristine Camille stated.
A jaded user by the name Marcos Allas said it’s no use to file a complaint because nothing really happens.
Hopefully, that will end soon.
Earlier this month, the House of Representatives approved a bill on its second reading which seeks to penalize taxi drivers who refuse to transport passengers. If House Bill No. 7774 or the “Bill of Rights of Taxi, Tourist Car Transport Service, and Vehicle for Hire for Passengers” gets passed, erring cabbies can be fined anywhere from PHP1,000 (US$18.60) to PHP5,000 (US$92.99) and have their driver’s license suspended for seven days up to a year.
The Senate version of the bill, however, is still pending at the committee level.
