LTFRB, bus crash victims’ families to discuss lifting of GV Florida suspension

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the families of those who died in the G.V. Florida bus crash last February, and the crash survivors will engage in a dialogue this week on the Court of Appeals’ decision to lift the six-month suspension that the LTFRB imposed on the bus line.

“We are expecting a dialogue with them this week,” Lei Jimenez, widow of comedian Tado Jimenez, told GMA News Online in a phone interview on Sunday.

Tado Jimenez was one of the 14 people who were killed in the crash.

The talk will also include the board’s move to elevate its appeal to the Supreme Court, she noted.

“Okay na sa amin na nagsampa ng appeal ang LTFRB sa Supreme Court. Nagpapasalamat nga kami at ginawa ng LTFRB ‘yun,” survivor Dino Dimar told GMA News Online in a separate phone interview.

The Office of the Solicitor General has asked the Supreme Court to clarify the LTFRB’s authority to suspend bus franchises as the appellate court lifted the six-month suspension order against G.V. Florida.

“Sana lang ‘yung Florida tulungan naman ‘yung ibang victims na hindi pa nila napapanagutan,” Dimar pointed out.

In a press conference last month, some survivors and families of those who died disclosed that they have yet to be contacted by the bus company, months after the incident in Bontoc that killed 15 people and wounded 32 individuals. Those who have not received any assistance are Karina Javier, Annemiek Verwegen, Chat Baranda, and Mariel Baja. — BM, GMA News