SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2872 
15 .Ill 28 
jJ 3 :33 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
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 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Going around the metro is a big challenge to every commuter. 
There are affordable modes of transportation such as jeepneys or buses but one 
has to brave the bad traffic condition in our major thoroughfares. Early this year, 
Numbeo, an online crowd-sourced global database released statistics revealing 
that in 2015, among eighty-eight (88) countries whose traffic data it compared, 
the PhiliRPines ranks ninth (9th) in terms of negative traffic situation. It ranks 
fourth (4 h) among Asian countries surveyed. 
There are also alternatives which are both affordable and fast. The rapid transit 
systems, including Manila Metro Rail Transit Systems were envisioned to 
"alleviate the chronic traffic congestion experience" along the EDSA. corridor. 
However, its technical problems and other malfunctions have recently became 
recurring, causing inconvenience, delays and other economic loss to our 
commuters. 
These situations leave our commuters with no other option but to take a taxi 
which is a more expensive mode of transportation. But taxi riders are still not 
spared of the hassles of commuting because of there are taxi drivers who 
indiscriminately overcharge especially during rush hours and rainy days, who 
refuse to use the taxi meter and instead fix or contract the amount they want to 
charge from the passenger, and/or refuse to carry passengers to their places of 
destination. 
This measure aims to protect the welfare of the public riding taxis by penalizing 
the abovementioned malpractices. This is to ensure that the fares that will be 
charged and the services that will be given by taxi are compliant with the rules 
and guidelines issued by the government, particularly the Department of 
Transportation 
and 
Communications (DOTC), 
and 
Land 
Transportation 
Franchising and Regulatory Board (L TFRB). 


This measure was filed by Senator Manny Villar in the Fifteenth Congress but 
was unfortunately not passed into law. 
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
GGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2 8 7 2 
•
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Senatr 
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'15 Jl28 113 :33 ' 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
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 the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Any person who charges taxi fares which are higher than the 
2 
official rates, or who does not use the taxi meter system in charging a passenger 
3 
his fare, or who, without valid cause, refuses or does not carry or bring any 
4 
person to his place of destination shall, after due process, be penalized with a 
5 
fine of not less than Five Thousand Pesos (P5,OOO,OO) but not more than Ten 
6 
Thousand Pesos (P10,OOO,OO) and shall be suspended from driving for a period 
7 
of not less than one (1) year but not more than five (5) years, Any subsequent 
8 
violation of the foregoing acts shall be penalized with a permanent 
9 
disqualification of the offender from driving any common carrier. 
10 
11 
12 
SEC. 2. (a) The common carrier or operator of the vehicle violating Section 1 
13 
hereof shall be penalized with a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos 
14 
(P10,OOO.OO) but not more than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,OOO.OO). 
15 
16 
(b) 
The vehicle involved in the violation under Section 1 hereof shall be 
17 
impounded and be in the custody of the appropriate government agency which 
18 
has the authority to license common carriers for a period of not less than one (1) 
19 
month but not more than six (6) months. 
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SEC. 3. The investigation or hearing of any complaint under this Act shall be 
23 
summary in nature and without regard to technicalities of law or procedure, all in 
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the interest of due process; Provided, That the operator or common carrier shall 
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be duly notified of the same. 
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SEC. 4. The liability under this Act shall be independent from, and be without 
29 
prejudice to, any liability under other laws. 
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1 
SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Transportation 
2 
and Communications is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations 
3 
necessary to implement this Act. 
4 
5 
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SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any provision of this Act is 
7 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby 
8 
shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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10 
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SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree, executive order, or 
12 
issuance, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act is hereby repealed or 
13 
modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
17 
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers 
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of general circulation. 
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Approved,