Deactivated TNVS hatchback drivers to file charges vs LTFRB before Ombudsman

GRAB’S PROPOSAL To meet the rising demand for rides after the deactivation of some 5,600 drivers, Grab has asked transport regulators to soften their stand on hatchbacks. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Deactivated transport network vehicle service (TNVS) hatchback drivers are set to file another complaint against the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), but this time it will be with the Office of the Ombudsman.

Metro Manila Hatchback Community chairman Jun De Leon said on Thursday that with the help of Lawyers for Commuters’ Safety and Protection their drivers will be filing administrative, civil, and criminal charges against  the LTFRB for its failure to implement Memorandum Circular (MC) 2018-005.

MC 2018-005 allowed hatchbacks to operate as transport network vehicle service (TNVS) units for only three years, starting on Feb. 28, 2018, to enable drivers to recover the money they spent on buying their vehicles.

However, despite the MC, De Leon said the LTFRB refused to accept and process their franchise applications, which resulted in the deactivation of 1,225 hatchback drivers from the ride-hailing app Grab’s platform last June 10.

READ: Grab illegal drivers only 5,000, not 8,000

“Nais po naming magsampa uli ng additional case sa Ombudsman upang magkaroon ng criminal case itong mga namumuno sa LTFRB,” De Leon said in a press conference in Quezon City.

“Hindi nila sinusunod ang memorandum circular na sila mismo ang nag-approve at sila rin mismo ang nagpapatupad,” he added.

READ: Deactivated hatchback drivers to file class suit vs LTFRB

Aside from the LTFRB’s failure to implement the MC, lawyer Mayor Matahum, who will be handling the case, said they will also look into the “administrative liabilities” of the agency over its “inconsistent and difficult” policies in terms of registration and application for a franchise.

“The law, itong Ease of Doing Business, ‘yung paglalagay ng red tape na along the way magdadagdag ka ng additionall requirements na naging pahirap sa applicant, tinitingnan po namin yung administrative liabilities ng officials natin sa agency kung ano ang pananagutan nila,” Matahum said in the same press conference.

“We are sure that there are administrative liabilities ang officials natin [sa LTFRB]. ‘Yun ang pag-iisipan namin at pag-aaralan na idulog sa office of the Ombudsman,” he added.

The deactivated TNVS hatchback drivers have also filed a class action suit against the LTFRB before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (QC RTC) to compel the agency to allow them back on the road.  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)