Commuter protection group files graft raps vs LTFRB

The National Council for Commuter Protection Inc. (NCCP)  has filed charges against the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) before the Office of the Ombudsman for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, owing to its "hasty, unfair and unjustified decision approving the P2 fare hike." 

Lawyer Vicente Millora, NCCP legal counsel, said the LTFRB is culpable for its "manifest partiality, gross inexcusable negligence" and for "causing undue injury to one party and granting unwarranted benefits, advantages or preferences to another party." 

For her part, LTFRB Chairwoman Elena Bautista said they welcome the charges.

"We welcome it. Lalabas na alam namin ang ginagawa namin," Bautista told The STAR.

Millora claimed the LTFRB openly favored transport operators over the strong objections of the commuter protection group as well as other transport groups.

"Even ordinary drivers opposed the fare hike as it will only mean an increase in boundary as well as reduce the volume of passengers for short trips," he said. 

Millora, with the support of NCCP and research group ATINTO Development Services, cited several reasons why LTFRB may be culpable of graft and corruption. 

He said the LTFRB granted transport operators the privilege to increase their boundary charges by a maximum of 15 percent even if this was not demanded in the petition of the transport groups.

Bautista declared the P2 fare hike was also intended to cover future increases in fuel prices, which Millora said was "too presumptuous, speculative and not covered by the petition."

"Implicitly, Bautista admits the P2 fare hike is bloated more than enough to cover past increases in fuel. Explicitly, the fare hike decision was not based on available evidence or justifiable proofs that are acceptable under any court of law, but on speculation and fear of future prices that were not part of the petition," he said.

The LTFRB is also charged for gross negligence for violating its own rules of court as provided by the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, which grants a 30-day effectivity from receipt of a notice of any decision to allow time to make any counter legal reaction, Millora said.

"Surprising the riding public with a decision effective on the day of its issuance (June 20, 2005) is a total violation of the constitutional right to due process. It is surprising that LTFRB is not aware of basic laws and rules of court despite being a quasi-judicial body," Millora said.