LTFRB reminds Angkas to respect SC’s TRO, follow the law
MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has reminded Angkas to respect the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) and follow the law, which bans the use of motorcycles as public transportation.
“Mahigpit na pinaaalalahanan ng DOTr-LTFRB ang Angkas na galangin ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema at sundin ang nakasaad sa batas,” LTFRB said in a statement on Friday.
According to LTFRB, the SC’s issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) on December 5 upheld R.A. 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
“Sa ilalim ng Republic Act 4136, Section 7(C) o Registration Classification, mahigpit na ipinagbabawal na gawing ‘for hire’ ang pribadong motorsiklo,” the agency noted.
“Ang batas na ito ay sinusugan din ng isang resolusyon na inilabas ng Korte Suprema kamakailan lang. Higit sa usapin ng kaligtasan, ito ang dahilan kung kaya naglabas din ng isang resolusyon ang Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board o LTFRB para ipatupad ang isinasaad ng batas.”
“Gaano man kahigpit ang batas, kailangan itong ipatupad at sundin sa ngalan ng kaayusan. Mababago lamang ito kung gagawa ng hakbang ang kongreso para amyendahan ang kasalukuyang batas,” the LTFRB added.
Section 7 of R.A. 4136 states that “private motorcycles, scooters, or motor wheel attachments […] shall not be used for hire under any circumstances and shall not be used to solicit, accept, or be used to transport passengers or freight for pay”.
The LTFRB reminder came after Angkas executives said they would continue operations for the benefit of the commuters, vowing to support riders who would be arrested or whose motorcycles would be impounded.
According to Angkas, in a press briefing earlier Friday, the SC decision was on the injunction previously issued by Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court Branch 213, which prevented LTFRB from interfering with the operations of the ride-hailing firm.
Angkas officials asserted the SC’s temporary restraining order (TRO) never deemed Angkas as legal or illegal.
“Tuloy po ang pagbabyahe ngayon. Let me reiterate lang po ang TRO po galing sa Korte Suprema ay ukol po sa injunction na na-grant ng RTC (Regional Trial Court),” Angkas Spokesperson George Royeca told reporters on Friday.
“So wala pong desisyon tungkol sa Angkas na pagiging ilegal o legal sa daan,” he added.
READ: Despite SC’s TRO, Angkas to continue operations
But the LTFRB reiterated its order to arrest Angkas riders and impound their motorcycles — who can easily be spotted through their helmets with Angkas decals.
“Kaya naman ang sinumang mago-operate ng pampasaherong motorsiklo ay maituturing na colorum o illegal. Kung colorum ang sasakyan, walang ahensya ng gobyerno ang nagre-regulate sa operasyon nito.
Ibig sabihin, maaari silang magtaas ng pasahe kailanman nila gusto,” the LTFRB said.
“Higit sa lahat, walang proteksyon o habol ang mga commuter sakaling magkaroon ng aksidente lalo’t walang insurance ang sasakyan. Ang nais lamang ng DOTr at LTFRB, respetuhin ng Angkas ang pasya ng SC gaya ng aming pagkilala sa naunang desisyon noon ng Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court,” they noted. /kga
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