Bayan Muna seeks probe of LTO suspension, license revocation of PUV drivers

MANILA, Philippines — Bayan Muna representatives in the House urged their colleagues on Monday to investigate the “massive” suspension and revocation of driver’s licenses that affected thousands of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers.

Under House Resolution No. 770, Bayan Muna Representatives Ferdinand Gaite, Carlos Isagani Zarate, and Eufemia Culiamat asked the Committee on Transportation to probe the suspension of licenses of thousands of PUV drivers for 90 days by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

“It is imperative for members of Congress, as representatives of our people, to ensure that laws, rules and regulations, especially those affecting the lives and properties of many, to be fair and just,” the resolution states.

It also states that thousands of PUV drivers received show cause orders from LTO in December 2019 over alleged multiple traffic violations as reported by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

“Upon receipt of the show cause orders and pending the conduct of proper investigation by the LTO on the alleged multiple traffic violations, the licenses of the respondent public utility drivers were preventively suspended for three months,” the resolution states.

The Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (MANIBELA) has called the move “arbitrary, oppressive and anti-poor.”

“Now therefore be it resolved, that the House of Representatives, through the Committee on Transportation, conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, massive suspension and revocation of driver’s licenses affecting thousands of public utility vehicle drivers,” the resolution states.

/atm