Poe calls on DOTr to suspend order imposing stiffer penalties vs PUVs

INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe has asked the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to suspend its order which imposes heftier fines on public utility vehicle operators and drivers who violate the transportation rules and laws.

The senator, chair of the public services committee, said that the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 2014-01 of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and Land Transportation Office (LTO) issued in 2014 was “illegal” as only the law can impose higher fines and penalties.

READ: DOTr firm on stiffer colorum fines

“Unang-una ay kailangan talagang kausapin ‘yung LTFRB na suspendihin ang [JAO] ng mga penalties dito sa mga public utility vehicles na ii-impound,” Poe said in an interview after her committee’s hearing on Saturday in Cagayan de Oro.

The hearing tackled transport modernization, effects of the tax reform law in utilities, various franchises and LTO bills.

“Ito ay iligal sapagkat hindi ito ang batas, ito ay Joint Administrative Order lamang noong dating DOTC na hanggang ngayon ay ipinapatupad so kailangan nating ayusin ito dahil hindi na po ito makatao, mapang-api na ang ganitong klaseng administrative order,” she added.

Poe noted that she has earlier called on the Senate when she filed Senate Resolution No. 910, to probe the “unjustly harsh” fines and penalties as directed under the said order.

The order, which took effect in June of 2014, sets higher fines and penalties for various violations of transportation rules and regulations, including a P1 million fine for colorum buses.