LTFRB denies permits to 18 buses to ferry Leni-Kiko supporters to grand rally venue in Mandaue City
The LTFRB building in Quezon City. (Photo from Radyo Inquirer)
CEBU CITY––At least 18 buses supposed to ferry supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis Pangilinan to the tandem’s grand rally on Thursday, April 21, in Mandaue City, Cebu, were not given special permits by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Central Visayas.
Eduardo Montealto, regional director of LTFRB, said the buses were under servicing contract with the government for its “Libreng Sakay Program.”
“They (buses) cannot be pulled out from the routes. Only those PUVs (public utility vehicles) not included in the service contracting program of the government can ask for special permits should they volunteer to ferry supporters to campaign rallies,” he said in a media interview.
Montealto said they were willing to give out special permits for buses to be used in political events as long as they do not have any contract with the LTFRB.
The refusal to give special permits for buses, he said, was not politically motivated.
During the grand rally of presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Cebu City last April 18, Montealto said they gave special permits only to non-Libreng Sakay buses.
Supporters of Robredo and Pangilinan said the LTFRB refusal to issue special permits for the buses would result in long lines at their pick-up points.
“We are asking for your extended patience and understanding. Please bear with us,” said Pink Cebu, one of Robredo’s grand rally organizers in Cebu.
Despite the setback, Pink Cebu, one of the organizers of the “Ceboom” campaign sortie, said they would continue to ferry people to the grand rally.
