MANILA, Dec. 3 -- The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday warned taxi drivers against selecting passengers or demanding fares beyond the metered rate, as the agency intensifies operations ahead of the holiday rush.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao, in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview, said reports of "isnaberong" (snobbish) taxi drivers-those who refuse passengers or negotiate overpriced fares-tend to increase during the Christmas season when more commuters flock to malls and transport terminals.

"Iyon pong mga taxi lalo na po iyong mga nasa malls, terminal na namimili ng pasahero, tapos pipiliin nila, na sasabihin nila na sila ay magbayad ng hindi normal sa dapat na bayaran ay ipinagbabawal po iyan (These pra...