FIFTEENTH CONGRESS of the 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2491 
Introdnced by RON. RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is a well-entrenched jurisprudential rule that a contract of transport of 
passengers is quite different in kind and degree from any contractual relation. It is a 
relationship imbued with public interest. Moreover, it is a state policy to protect the 
interest of the passenger, promote his general welfare and establish standards of conduct 
for the transportation industry. 
Several laws and ordinances were enacted to safeguard the safety of the 
commuters to and from their place of destinations. Traffic enforcers were deployed to 
ensure efficient flow of various forms of public transportation. 
Every person has the opportunity to choose whatever means of public 
transportation he prefers. Some favor to take the taxi for convenience, time constraint or 
for whatever reason under any circumstances. However, these taxi passengers are often 
victims of abusive taxi drivers. It has been observed that many taxi drivers collect in 
excess of what is due to them. Whatever the fare as registered in the taxi meter, the taxi 
driver automatically charged an amount rounded off to the nearest tens. If a passenger 
asks for his exact change, the common answer is that they do not have enough coins or 
this was their first trip. Imagine if there are 5,000 taxis more or less in Metro Manila 
alone doing the same unconscionable practice. 
Let us be reminded that "no one shall be unjustly enriched at the expense of 
another." Thus, approval of this bill is earnestly urged. 
nr.up''-''' BONG REVILLA, JR. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS of the 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 2491 
Introduced by HON. RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR. 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING TAXI DRIVERS TO GIVE EXACT CHANGE TO THEIR 
PASSENGERS, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREOF 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Exact Fare Act" 
SECTION 2. Prohibition against Failing or Rejilsing to Give Exact Change. -
It shall be unlawful for any taxi driver or operator to give insufficient change or no 
change at all to commuters. It shall be the duty ofthe taxi drivers to give exact change to 
the passenger without waiting tor the latter to ask for the same. 
SECTION 3. Procedure in Filing a Complaint. -
a) Not later than five (5) working days 
after a violation has been committed, the 
passenger shall file a complaint in writing to the Department of Transportation and 
Communication. 
b) The Department shall, in not more than ten (10) working days after receipt of the 
complaint, issue notice and conduct an investigation to the concerned driver and 
operator. 
c) The investigation or hearing of any complaint under this Act shall be summary in 
nature and without regard to technicalities of law or procedure, provided due process 
is observed. 
d) After a full investigation shall have been made by the Department, it shall issue its 
decision and findings not later tan thirty (30) days from receipt of the complaint. 
SECTION 4. Penalties. - Any violation of this Act shall be punished as follows: 
The taxi driver shall be principally liable, however, in case of insolvency, the 
operator's subsidiary liability will be enforced. For the tlrst offense, a violator shall be 
tined One Thousand Pesos (Pl,OOO.OO); for the second offense, a violator shall be tined 
Two Thousand Pesos (P2,000.00); and for the third offense, a violator shall be fined Five 
Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) and shall be suspended from driving public utility vehicle 
for a period not less than one (I) month but not more than six (6) months. Any 
subsequent violations by the driver shall be penalized with a suspension for a period not 
less than one (1) year but not more than two (2) years and for the operator, his license to 
operate shall be suspended for the same period. 
1 


• 
SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of 
Transportation and Communication is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and 
regulations necessary to implement this Act. 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause - If for any reason any section or provision of 
this Act is declared unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not effected 
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any laws, decrees, or rules and regulations 
which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended 
or repealed. 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
2