For some time now, the Philippines has been underperforming in the race of attracting foreign tourists and its 2025 numbers have been disappointing. Recently, Philippine tourism suffered another blackeye as a taxi driver in Cebu overcharged a very prominent entertainer from South Korea – K-pop star Soobin – and already the details of the incident spread like wildfire on social media and in foreign news, according to a news article by VnExpress. The said taxi driver has been suspended for 30-days and was ordered by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to surrender his driver’s license.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the VnExpress news article. Some parts in boldface…
Philippine authorities have taken action against a taxi driver who overcharged Soobin, a member of the K-pop group Tomorrow X Together, during a trip to Cebu.
According to Korea JoongAng Daily, a video posted April 1 on the group’s official YouTube channel, titled “Soobin’s Super Fun and Super Tiring Vacation,” shows the singer and his friend navigating the incident. In the footage, Soobin and the friend arrive at the airport and attempt to take a taxi to their accommodation.
“I checked beforehand, it should be about 300 pesos (US$17),” Soobin says in the video, as quoted by Chosun Biz. “If they charge more than 300 pesos, let’s act angry once.”
However, a taxi driver subsequently approaches them and initially quotes the pair 500 pesos. After failing to negotiate, Soobin gets into the taxi, only for the driver to suddenly demand 1,000 pesos, claiming it was a “car with expensive gas.”
Soobin immediately confronts the driver, saying, “Did you hear that? I’m going to report you,” while documenting the attempted overcharge.
His friend later remarks, “Still, it’s better that we arrived safely. We’re so tired,” and Soobin ultimately pays the originally agreed 500 pesos.
Following the broadcast, the Philippines’ Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board ordered the driver to surrender his license plate and driver’s license and imposed a 30-day suspension.
“The taxi driver excessively charged the fare and deliberately did not use the meter during the ride,” the board said, as quoted by the South China Morning Post. “This is a serious offense that tarnished our country’s honor in the international community.”
Philippine National Police Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. also ordered a nationwide crackdown on taxi drivers accused of overcharging passengers. Authorities have since been deployed to monitor transportation hubs, particularly airports.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If have traveled overseas over the past twelve months, were there any local taxi drivers who overcharged you? Do you think Philippine tourism will be able to recover from this recent embarrassment?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
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