FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
Senate Bill No. 1041 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The public transportation crisis has raised the cries of woe from stranded 
and long queueing commuters. This is compounded specially by taxi drivers 
mulcting commuters with their fast meters or charging them illegal and exorbitant 
rates in a per trip basis. Worse, some of them, without cause, do not even allow 
commuters to ride on their taxis if the places of destination are not to their liking. 
This is practically anarchy in the streets. 
This bill seeks to encourage taxi drivers to honor the law and bear always 
in mind that the contract of carriage and the obligation of common carriers is at 
all times visited with public interest. This may be done by providing sanctions and 
penalties against taxi operators and their drivers. The liabilities provided herein 
shall be independent of, and be without prejudice to, their liabilities under existing 
laws, rules and regulations. 
The early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
MANNYVI LAR 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
PENALIZING THE CHARGING OF TAXI FARES WHICH ARE HIGHER THAN 
THE OFFICIAL RATES, THE FAILURE TO USE THE TAXI METERS OR THE 
REFUSAL TO CARRY WITHOUT CAUSE TAXI PASSENGERS TO THEIR 
PLACES OF DESTINATION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 'I. 
Any person who charges taxi fares which are higher than the 
official rates, or who does not use the taxi meter system in charging a passenger 
his fare, or who, without valid cause, refuses or does not carry or bring any 
person to his place of destination shall, after due process, be penalized with a 
fine of not less than Five Thousand Pesos (P5,OOO.OO) but not more than Ten 
Thousand Pesos (10,000.00) and shall be suspended from driving for a period 
not less than one (1) year but not more than five (5) years. Any subsequent 
violation of the foregoing acts shall be penalized with a permanent 
disqualification of the offender from driving a common carrier. 
SECTION 2. (a) The common carrier or operator of the vehicle violating 
Section 1 hereof shall be penalized with a fine of not less than Ten Thousand 
Pesos (1 0,000.00) but not more than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,OOO.OO). 
(b) The vehicle involved in the violation under Section 1 hereof shall be 
impounded and be in the custody of the appropriate government agency which 


has the authority to license common carriers for a period of not less than one (1) 
month but not more than six (6) months. 
SECTION 3. The investigation or hearing of any complaint under this Act 
shall be summary in nature and without regard to technicalities of law or 
procedure, all in the interest of due process: Provided, That the operator or 
common carrier shall be duly notified of the same. 
SECTION 4. The liability under this Act shall be independent from, and be 
without prejudice to, any liability under other laws. 
SECTION 5. The Secretary of Transportation and Telecommunications is 
hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement 
this Act. 
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (1 5) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,