LTFRB. Screengrab from https://ltfrb.gov.ph/
MANILA, Philippines–The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has denied the appeal of Victory Liner seeking to overturn its
decision to temporarily suspend 42 bus units following a deadly accident early this week.
The Board issued a 30-day preventive suspension order (PSO) on Thursday, ordering the said units with Sta-Cruz, Zamabales-Iba-Olongapo-Manila route grounded in their garages in Rizal Avenue Extension, Caloocan City, Olongapo City and Sta Cruz, Zambales, for physical inspection.
One of the company’s units with plate number CWX-666 figured in an accident on April 21 at around 4:30 p.m. along National Highway Purok 1 Libas, New Cabalan, Olongapo City, resulting in the death of a pedestrian and injuries to 41 passengers.
“The Board has strict rules in penalizing any bus company that is involved in any fatal road accident,” LTFRB chair Winston M. Ginez said in a statement.
According to Ginez, in denying Victory Liner’s MR, the Board is preventing to create precedence.
“We want to be fair and apply the same legal process to all bus companies that commit violations of their CPCs (Certificate of Public Convenience), and Victory Liner is not different with those that previously committed similar offense,” he said.
Simultaneous with the serving of the order denying their motion for reconsideration, LTFRB personnel will also be confiscating the yellow for hire plates of the 42 units in their garages Friday. All the units will have to undergo physical inspection at LTO’s Motor Inspection Service (MVIS) compound to determine their roadworthiness.
All their drivers will have to be subjected to compulsory drug testing to be conducted by authorized/accredited agency of the DOH and LTO.
A hearing has been set on May 7 to provide the bus company due process of law and explain why their CPCs should not be suspended, cancelled and/or revoked for violation of the terms and conditions of its franchise.
Failure of the bus company to appear on the scheduled date of hearing will be considered as a waiver on their part and the Board will decide on the merits of the case based on their franchise records.