Industry News
Taxi Trap Busted
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended the licenses of 11 drivers, both from regular taxis and ride-hailing apps, after they were caught overcharging passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
According to LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II, the 90-day preventive suspension is part of the ongoing crackdown on abusive public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“These drivers thought our campaign was just ningas cogon. They’re wrong. This proves we’re serious,” Mendoza said. He added that DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon gave strict orders not to let up on abusive taxi and TNVS drivers, especially because they give honest drivers a bad name.
The LTO and the Philippine National Police’s Aviation Security Group recently conducted joint operations targeting drivers who were overcharging, snubbing, or illegally negotiating fares. Investigations showed that the 11 drivers charged between P200 and P700 for short trips, such as between NAIA Terminals 1 and 3.
The LTO issued Show Cause Orders (SCO) requiring the drivers to explain why their licenses should not be permanently revoked for being “improper persons to operate a motor vehicle.” They were also told to immediately surrender their licenses.
Mendoza emphasized that these drivers could face long suspensions or even permanent bans from working as taxi or TNVS drivers. Meanwhile, the LTFRB will conduct separate proceedings on whether the franchises of the involved vehicles should also be revoked.
To prevent further abuse, LTO personnel will continue to be stationed at NAIA terminals to respond to reports of overcharging in real time.
Toyota Motor Asia has named seven Global Team Toyota Athletes from six Southeast Asian countries as it builds its roster for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games and Asian Para Games.
The refreshed line-up includes Olympic gymnastics champion Carlos Yulo and Paralympic swimmer Ernie Gawilan, who continue to represent the Philippines after joining the program in 2024. They are joined by returning athletes from Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, along with two new para-athletes from Indonesia and Malaysia.
New additions are Indonesian para cyclist Muhammad Fadli Imamuddin and Malaysian para-athletics sprinter Muhammad Ammar Aiman Nor Azmi. Fadli began as a professional motorcycle racer before a 2015 racing incident led him to para cycling. He returned to competition in 2017 and won gold at the 2025 ASEAN Para Games. Ammar Aiman rose from school competitions to the international level, winning gold at the 2022 Asian Para Games and silver at the 2025 ASEAN Para Games.
The full roster also includes Singapore’s Toh Wei Soong in para swimming, Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn in badminton and Vietnam’s Lê Văn Công in para powerlifting.
Toyota said each athlete will be paired with a Dual Hero Project, a Toyota-supported community initiative linked to causes important to the athletes. In the Philippines, Gawilan has led coastal cleanup and mangrove restoration efforts, while Yulo has worked with Toyota on the Start Your Impossible Gymnastics Camp for young athletes.
Toyota Motor Asia Vice President Preston Tan said the athletes reflect the company’s Move Your World platform as they compete and work with communities that shaped their journeys.
BSB Junrose Corporation is using the 10th Philippine International Motor Show to put the spotlight on practical aftermarket solutions for Filipino motorists, with products centered on efficiency, safety, reliability and power readiness.
The 58-year-old auto parts solutions company is showcasing brands that include Liqui Moly, Brembo, Sankei 555 and Furukawa Battery, aligning its PIMS 2026 participation with the theme “Forward in Every Drive.”
BSB Junrose Corporation President Ian Bangayan said the company is focused on supporting the needs of current vehicles while preparing for future mobility requirements.
For efficiency, BSB Junrose is highlighting Liqui Moly low-friction motor oils, additives, cleaners and conditioners. The company said these products help improve fuel economy, throttle response and overall engine performance, especially as motorists become more cost-conscious amid fuel price concerns.
For safety, the company is presenting Brembo brake pads and discs, which it said are designed to deliver quick, smooth and dependable braking performance across internal combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles.
BSB Junrose is also promoting Sankei 555 steering and suspension parts from Japan, including rack and pinion steering components, front suspension and steering linkage parts, and related joints. The company said these products are suited for the country’s road conditions.
For power readiness, BSB Junrose is showcasing Furukawa Battery, also known as FB Battery. The Japanese brand offers auxiliary batteries designed for modern vehicles with higher electrical loads, including security, infotainment and start-stop systems.
Bangayan said the batteries are engineered to handle local conditions such as hot weather, stop-and-go traffic, fast discharge rates and voltage drops during engine restarts.
Toyota Motor Philippines is bringing music, new models, test drives and brand displays to the 2026 Philippine International Motor Show as Ben&Ben performs live at the Toyota booth on 5 June.
The 10th PIMS will run from 4 to 7 June 2026 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila. Toyota said the nine-piece band, which serves as its Toyota Choice ambassadors, will perform from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the second day of the show.
The brand’s booth this year will carry the Toyota Choice campaign, which focuses on giving customers more options based on their lifestyle, needs and daily mobility requirements. Toyota said visitors will be able to see upcoming models, learn more about its ownership programs and join public test drives.
The test drive activity will allow guests to experience Toyota’s fuel-efficient internal combustion engine models, practical hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. The brand will also showcase the bZ4X BEV, RAV LTD HEV and Toyota Tamaraw GL Dropside, which appear with Ben&Ben in the campaign visuals.
Ben&Ben said Toyota has been part of the group’s journey since its early years.
“Toyota has been a core part of our story ever since the beginning of our band. Our first band car was a Toyota borrowed from the twins’ family, at pinagkasya namin kaming lahat doon kasama lahat ng mga gamit namin,“ shared Ben&Ben.
“A few years later, nagsimula ang partnership with Toyota at nagkaroon kami ng dalawang van! Nagkasya na kami nang hindi nagsisiksikan. Dumami na rin kasi ang mga gamit namin sa pagtugtog. Nine years of countless shows and travels later, we’re happy to still be choosing Toyota. Sa lahat ng biniyahe namin, at mga ala-alang nakapaloob rito, Toyota ang sakay namin.” added the nine-piece Filipino band.
Toyota said its partnership with Ben&Ben is built around shared values such as trust, connection, versatility and innovation. The company said the band helps make the Toyota Choice campaign more relatable to younger audiences and gives the brand a more human voice.
Aside from the main Toyota display, visitors can also check T-OPT, Toyota’s affordable auto parts brand. Toyota said the display will show parts options backed by the company and designed to support customers after purchase.
The Gazoo Racing booth will also be at the show. Guests can buy GR merchandise and view a modified GR Supra and GR Corolla.
“The Philippine International Motor Show has always been a great platform for Toyota to showcase our latest and future offerings of Toyota. We invite everyone to come to Toyota’s PIMS 2026 booth to see our upcoming models up close, test drive our latest vehicle lineup, and enjoy with their families and friends while watching our Toyota Choice Ambassadors, Ben&Ben, perform their songs,” said TMP First Vice President of Vehicle Sales Operations Elijah Marcial.
“Toyota is dedicated to ensuring our customers’ choice leads to a smooth ownership experience, and one that gives them a dedicated peace of mind. We hope that with Toyota’s PIMS 2026 booth, guests will be able to have the power of choice to choose what is best for their mobility needs.” she adds.
Toyota said the booth will combine live music, vehicle displays, test drives, ownership support and Toyota-backed services for PIMS visitors.
