CA junks TRO on Skyway toll increase

The Court of Appeals (CA) has overturned the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Parañaque Regional Trial Court against the implementation of a toll hike for the at-grade section of the Skyway System from Bicutan to Magallanes.

Ana Gamboa, public of relations manager of the Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp., said that the CA's order, penned by Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., further barred Judge Helen Bautista-Ricafort from issuing a writ of preliminary injunction on the questioned toll fees.

Gamboa said that the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has ordered the dismissal of the consolidated petitions for review of the new toll rates implemented on Feb. 14 last year for the Skyway System's Bicutan to Alabang at-grade section.

"After thorough review and evaluation of these petitions ... the TRB ruled that the new toll rates for the said section are fair and reasonable," Gamboa said. -