Taxi operators ask court to nullify LTFRB memo

CEBU, Philippines - A group of taxi operators are asking the court to stop the implementation of a memorandum circular that allegedly appropriated abandoned and expired franchises to favored applicants.

Richard Cabucos, president of the Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association, and members Paul Corominas, Peter Corominas, Marites White and Jonald Ungab filed the petition for injunction and damages before the Regional Trial Court yesterday.

They are asking the court to declare the Memorandum Circular No. 2009-035 null and void and to issue a Temporary Restraining Order pending resolution of the case.

LTFRB Chairman Alberto Suansing and board members Gerardo Pinili and Ma. Ellen Dirige-Cabatu and Regional Director Romulo Bernardez were named respondents of the civil case.

The petitioners alleged that the memorandum was issued in gross violation of Republic Act 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Law because it did not undergo the required publication and public hearing.

The petitioners further claimed that Memorandum Circular No. 2009-035 violated a previous memorandum imposing a moratorium on the issuance of new franchises.

According to the petitioners, the absence of transparency in the implementation of the said memorandum has favored only a few taxi operators who were given the chance to apply for new franchises.

They also accused the LTFRB officials of irregularity in implementing the memorandum because the officials allegedly accepted applications even if they are still on the process of conducting an inventory to determine the number of abandoned and expired franchises.

The petitioners prayed that a permanent injunction be issued in their favor and they be paid jointly a total amount of P400,000 as actual and moral damages including attorney’s fees. They also demanded an additional P2,000 for every court appearance. — Fred P. Languido/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)