LTFRB-7 chief asks DOTC to take over probe on franchises

CEBU, Philippines – Saying he is disappointed by the lack of support from higher offices, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 Regional Director Benjamin Go announced he is turning over more than 2,000 cases of questionable certificates of public convenience to the Department of Transportation and Communication.

"Gikapoy na ko kay wala may suporta from Manila bisan og gamay, bisan pagdasig o pagsuporta wala gyud. Gikapoy na ko unya daghan pa ko'g nakaaway mao na ako na lang i-file ning mga kaso unya bahala na sila sa Manila," Go told The FREEMAN.

But Go assured he will continue with his cause to minimize, if not to totally stop the graft and corruption in his office, saying that he will still do something against all those illegal franchises issued during the term of his predecessors.

"Walang atrasan ito. I will file the appropriate cases at the Department of Transportation and Communication and it is up to the LTFRB and DOTC officials to decide. Para kung naa may bayaran or areglohan didto na, dili na ko kapasanginlan," Go said.

The LTFRB-7 director had earlier asked the DOTC officials in Manila to send personnel here to conduct an inventory of all questionable franchises that were issued by his predecessors, but his request was not acted upon.

Go said more than 2,000 taxi franchises were illegally issued by the former LTFRB regional directors allegedly in connivance with the hearing officers despite the existing moratorium in the issuance of taxi franchises in Metro Cebu.

When the LTFRB-Manila suspended the issuance of additional taxi franchises in Metro Cebu in 2003 there were still 4,000 units that time, but now statistics show there are more than 6,000 taxi units operating in Metro Cebu.

Go earlier accused lawyer Evelyn Misal, his chief legal officer as one of the "most guilty" persons who participated in the questionable issuance of hundreds of taxi franchises in Metro Cebu.

Misal chose not to comment about the accusation made by his regional director.

Go said he is studying for the possible filing of administrative charges against Misal and other LTFRB-7 hearing officer Douglas Sanson because documents show that they were the ones who endorsed the approval of the illegal taxi franchises despite the existing moratorium. (FREEMAN)