Bus company to sue uploader of viral video showing 'racing' Florida buses
GV Florida Transport Inc. is taking legal action against the individual who uploaded the viral video showing several of its buses speeding along a highway in Nueva Vizcaya.
Atty. Alexander Versoza, the legal counsel of the bus company, said that they will file a case against uploader Carlo Carbonel for the "malicious" posting of the video in early June.
According to radio station IFM Dagupan, the company denied that a race took place between the drivers and asserted that the situation was merely "misinterpreted." They further claimed that the circulation of the said footage damages their reputation and the public's trust in them.
"We are committed to safety. This misleading video puts our image at risk," they stated.
In the video, six GV Florida buses could be seen seemingly racing against each other and overtaking smaller vehicles on the Diadi-Cordon Road.
"Ginawang race track ng mga hari ng daan ang Diadi - Cordon road. 6 Florida bus po 'yan nasa likod lang yung dalawa humahabol," Carbonel's caption read.
As the video went viral, however, Carbonel was accused of editing the footage to make it seem like the buses were racing. He then clarified in a separate post that he does not intend to damage the company's reputation or profit from the video.
"Pinost ko po yung video hindi po para siraan ang GV Florida o para kumita ng pera dahil hinde naman po ako vlogger. Ang gusto ko lang sana is mabigyan ng leksyon ang mga driver ng bus na hindi iniisip ang safety ng mga pasahero at mga nakakasabay nila sa daan," he wrote.
"Ilang beses narin akong sinalubong ng mga yan sa bundok wala kana magawa kundi pumagilid nalang dahil naka-bwelo sila at ikaw nalang talaga iiwas sa disgrasya kaso pa'no yung mga hindi makaka-iwas [sorry] nalang?" he further explained.
GV Florida Transport Inc. subsequently issued a statement on the matter. Describing the video as "fast forward footage," the company stressed that the content "does not align with our company's values and standards."
The Department of Transportation has since suspended 15 of the company's buses and the licenses of the involved drivers for 90 days.
The drivers were also asked to undergo mandatory drug tests.
While the bus company has apologized for the incident, Transport Secretary Vince Dizon rejected it, stating the importance of road safety.
"Hindi porket walang nasaktan, walang nadisgrasya eh ganon ganon na lang. I saw the statement and apology of the Florida Bus Co. and I'm telling them now: 'Apology not accepted,'" the chief said in a statement.
Dizon continued, "Kung inisip nyo na hindi seryoso ang Pangulo at ang DOTr, malalaman nyo ngayon na nagkakamali kayo. Mensahe din namin ito sa lahat ng PUV companies: kapag ginawa ninyo ito, mabigat ang magiging consequence ng ginawa ninyo."
DOTr in another statement called GV Florida Transport Inc's move to file cases against Carbonel "harassment" and said it will protect and provide legal assistance to the uploader.
"Wala kang dapat ikatakot dahil nasa likod mo ang buong DOTr," Dizon said.
As of writing, Carbonel has yet to issue a statement regarding the company's decision to sue him.
