LTFRB summons PUV operators in INC rally

FRANCHISE VIOLATION Thirty-four operators of public utility vehicles (PUV), mostly buses and UV Express taxis, have been ordered by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to attend a hearing on July 9 after they were spotted at a surprise Iglesia ni Cristo rally on Tuesday. The PUV operators were asked to explain why their permit to operate should not be suspended or canceled after they failed to ply their routes. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has summoned 34 public transport operators that joined the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) rally on Edsa on Tuesday instead of plying their routes.

In a statement on Wednesday, the LTFRB said that it issued show cause orders to operators of buses and UV Express service that were spotted at the INC protest near the People Power Monument on Edsa.

“While the LTFRB fully respects the right of every person to join protest actions to air grievances, the agency said there are some factors that must also be taken into consideration, especially in the interest of the public,” it said.

It added that a number of commuters were affected as a result as the number of public utility vehicles (PUVs) on the road was reduced.

The LTFRB said the operators were asked to explain why their permit to operate should not be suspended or canceled at the hearing that was set on July 9.

CPC violation

Ahead of the hearing, the LTFRB noted that the decision of the operators not to ply their routes violated the terms of the certificate of public convenience (CPC) issued to them for the operation of public land transportation services.

The transport regulator specifically cited paragraph 3 of the Revised Terms and Conditions of CPC, which states that PUV operators “shall not resort to cessation of service as a sign or demonstration of protest against any government decision or action.”

The terms of the CPC also prohibit operators from tolerating, allowing or authorizing personnel from joining others in committing “acts prejudicial to the riding public,” which includes “paralyzing transport services by intimidation, coercion or violence.”

Thousands of INC members gathered near the People Power Monument in a surprise rally on Tuesday in support of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who is set to be charged with plunder by the Ombudsman over his nondeclaration of P75 million in campaign contributions that he received from three donors

Influential sect

The mobilization shut down major roads during the morning rush hour, stranded thousands of commuters and motorists, and triggered clashes between protesters and police.

The organizers from the religious sect did not secure a permit for the rally under the Public Assembly Act, but were later granted permission by the Quezon City government to extend it to Wednesday, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Amid public outcry over the rally’s lack of permit and the public inconvenience it caused, President Marcos ordered the police to exercise “maximum tolerance” against the INC members, who are known to vote as a bloc in support of certain candidates during elections.