Published by: Kimmi Rebato
Date Published: June 20, 2025
Time Published: 11:07 AM
A viral video showing multiple GV Florida Transport buses racing like sports cars along a national highway has led to a 30-day suspension of 15 of the company's buses and a 90-day suspension of the involved drivers.
The footage uploaded by concerned citizen Carlo Carbonel on June 8, captured six GV Florida buses dangerously overtaking vehicles along the Diadi-Cordon Road in Nueva Vizcaya.
Carbonel emphasized he meant no harm to the company's image, stating, "I just wanted the bus drivers to learn a lesson."
Public outcry followed the video's circulation, prompting immediate action from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
GV Florida Transport Inc. initially responded to the video, stating that the footage was edited in "fast-forward" mode to make it appear as if the buses were speeding.
However, LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II expressed his disappointment when the summoned bus drivers failed to appear at the hearing on June 13.
Instead, GV Florida sent a liaison officer to submit the written explanation, which was met with skepticism.
In a three-page explanation submitted to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in response to their Show Cause Order (SCO) dated June 9, the company claimed that the buses were merely traveling in convoy and not racing.
Mendoza emphasized that the issue was not just about speed but also the dangerous manner in which the buses were maneuvering on the road.
DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon ordered the suspension of the 15 buses operating the Sta. Ana-Sampaloc (Cagayan) and Baguio-Apayao route.
Along with the suspension, the LTO imposed a 90-day license suspension on the drivers involved, with mandatory drug testing to follow.
The DOTr also warned that if any of the suspended drivers are caught operating during their suspension, further consequences will be enforced.
The crackdown follows several recent road tragedies, including the Solid North bus crash at SCTEX and a speeding SUV incident at NAIA, both of which resulted in multiple fatalities.
As part of ongoing road safety efforts, DOTr encourages citizens to report reckless driving by tagging the agency or its attached agencies on social media.
REFERENCES:
[1] Boton, C. (2025, June 11). Florida buses suspended for racing. The Philippine Star.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2025/06/11/2449639/florida-buses-suspended-racing
[2] Flores, D. N. (2025, June 10). Speeding like sports cars? DOTr suspends franchise of viral buses, drivers' license. The Philippine Star. https://www.philstar.com/nation/2025/06/10/2449570/speeding-sports-cars-dotr-suspends-franchise-viral-buses-drivers-license
[3] Manabat, J. (2025, June 13). Florida bus drivers in viral 'racing video' snub LTO hearing. ABS-CBN News. https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/06/13/25/florida-bus-drivers-in-viral-racing-video-snub-lto-hearing
[4] Ferreras, V. A. (2025, June 10). 15 GV Florida Transport buses suspended over viral racing video. GMA News Online. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/948946/15-gv-florida-transport-buses-suspended-over-viral-racing-video/story/
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