PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTES AFTER TXT’s Subin Faces Excessive Taxi Fares

Subin, a member of the group TOMORROW X TOGETHER, suffered from unfair fare hikes by a taxi driver during her trip to Cebu, Philippines. After the incident was shared on YouTube and reported by local media, the Philippine government immediately took action by imposing a 30-day driving suspension on the taxi driver.

On the 1st, Subin posted a vlog about her trip to Cebu on the group’s official YouTube channel. In the video, she took a taxi from Mactan-Cebu International Airport to her accommodation, with the estimated fare before boarding being around 300 pesos (approximately 7,500 Korean won).

However, the taxi driver initially demanded 500 pesos (around 12,500 Korean won). When Subin protested, the driver claimed additional fees were necessary due to the expensive fuel used in the vehicle. During the ride, the driver suddenly raised the fare to 1,000 pesos (around 25,000 Korean won) and tried to collect more money. Eventually, after arguing with the driver, Subin’s group agreed to pay 500 pesos.

Subin recorded the situation on camera and expressed her frustration, saying, “He said 500 pesos at first, but then raised the fare again.” After the video was released, the issue sparked controversy in the Philippines as well. Local media covered the incident, and online users, presumed to be Filipinos, left comments such as “The government has launched an investigation,” “Thank you for bringing attention to this practice,” and “I’m sorry for the inconvenience,” expressing their apologies.

The Philippine government responded swiftly. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), under the Ministry of Transportation, began investigating the taxi driver on the 3rd and issued an immediate penalty. The board required the return of the vehicle’s license plate and driver’s license and decided on a 30-day preventive driving suspension.

In a formal statement, the LTFRB stated that the taxi driver deliberately refused to use the meter and charged excessive fares. It emphasized that such excessive charging and refusal to use meters undermine trust in public services and violate regulations. The board even criticized the incident as a serious offense that tarnishes the country’s reputation in the international community.

The LTFRB said it is considering criminal penalties and vehicle seizure against the taxi driver based on further investigations. This case highlights how severe the problem of illegal overcharging tourists is and shows how seriously the Philippine government takes damage to its national image. It also demonstrates how a K-pop idol’s sharing of her experience can serve to expose negative local practices.