Woman in road rage video blames cabbie for 'careless' driving

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 6:06 p.m.) — The woman in the viral road altercation video on Wednesday turned the tables as she refused to plead guilty in the alleged physical abuse against a taxi driver and filed charges against him.

In a position letter submitted to the Land Transportation Office on Wednesday, alleged attacker Cherish Sharmaine Interior, confirmed she was the woman in the video. However, she denied hitting the 52-year-old taxi driver, Virgilio Doctor.

“It should be emphasized that the respondent never slapped or physically hurt the taxi driver,” the position paper read.

“She only pointed her finger on him when she extended her hand inside the window of the taxi,” she added.

In the video that made the rounds on social media last week, Interior was seen confronting Doctor and hitting his face in a road confrontation on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. She also tried to dismantle the taxi’s side mirror.

Interior’s camp said the video taken by a netizen only showed the latter part of the vehicular incident. Her camp said it was also posted “without her consent and will.”

According to Interior, the incident occurred last December 17. She alleged Doctor was “driving hastily” to try to overtake her vehicle. But there was not much space on the road for the maneuver since a lane was taken by parked cars in front a nearby grill.

“The negligent act of the taxi driver almost caused his taxi to bump the car driven by the respondent,” the paper read.

“Therefore, endangering the safety of the respondent and her passengers especially her minor children due to the careless maneuvering of the said taxi driver,” it added.

Interior said the reckless driving of Doctor prompted her to stop the car and talk him, soliciting his name and taxi operator. She claimed that she and her companion planned to report the cabbie to the franchise owner as well as to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

“In view thereof, it is clear that it was the taxi driver who was driving recklessly during the said vehicular incident. The respondent was merely trying to avoid any harm that may befall to her and her amily, especially her minor children, due to the imprudent driving by the taxi driver,” the paper read.

Charges filed against cabbie

The position paper also mentioned that Interior filed on December 18 cases for unjust vexation and slight physical injuries against Doctor before the Office of the Prosecutor in Quezon City.

Doctor last December 19 also filed charges of unjust vexation, malicious mischief and slight physical injuries against Interior before the same court. He also filed complaints against Interior before the LTFRB and Quezon City Police District Station 3 last week.

READ: Taxi driver files raps vs attacker caught on road rage video

Meanwhile, Interior insisted that she was not aware that the vehicle she was driving was not registered, and that she is not the owner of the car.

Her lawyers also maintained that being "totally unaware" of its registration status, she should not be held liable for operating an unregistered vehicle.

Interior was summoned by the LTO following the taxi driver’s complaint, but she skipped the hearing, citing safety and security concerns.

“There are a lot of bashers in social media who are actually threatening to harm her life,” the position paper read.