PUV operators, drivers defying transport ban face franchise revocation – DOJ exec

MANILA, Philippines – Aside from a criminal case, drivers, operators of public utility vehicles (PUVs) that will not comply with the public transport ban imposed in line with the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon will face revocation of their franchise.

“Action against the franchise becomes important since operators may force their drivers to continue plying routes. The possible cancellation, etc. of the franchise could deter operators from doing so. The criminal case is distinct from the administrative remedy,” Justice Undersecretary and spokesperson Markk Perete told reporters.

On Monday evening, President Rodrigo Duterte has placed Luzon under an “Enhanced Community Quarantine” that prohibits, among others mass transport as part of the government’s more stringent measure to stop the virus from spreading.

READ: Luzon now under ‘enhanced community quarantine’ – Palace

Perete said the suspension of public transport is meant to minimize the mobility of people and prevent mass transmission of the disease.

“Those who insist on operating these facilities and disobey orders from law enforcers to desist from further operations may be held to account,” he added.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said the public should cooperate or face charges for violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code which punishes “resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person ” or violation of Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.

“That is how the law stands, and the reasoning behind it seems pretty straight forward: in times of a health event of a public concern, an unfounded insistence to act in a way that imperils our collective health can be criminally sanctioned,” Perete said.

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