MANILA, Philippines – A labor group on Thursday expressed support for transport groups protesting higher penalties imposed on “colorum” (unauthorized) vehicles, saying higher fines meant larger “kotong” or extortion money for traffic enforces.
“JAO (Joint Administrative Order) 2014-01 will not help ease traffic but will only increase the ‘kotongs’ (extortion money) being collected by corrupt police officers,” Kilusang Mayor Uno (KMU) vice chairperson Lito Ustarez said in a statement.
He said it will only burden drivers who mostly come from lower-class families.
The group said they support Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide’s (Piston) earlier statement that the government failed to assess the cause of heavy traffic in the country.
“The assertion that heavy fines will ease traffic is just speculation. It is so easy for the Aquino government to impose higher fines and even taxes on ordinary Filipinos without any comprehensive study or scientific basis,” Ustarez claimed.
The JAO 2014-01 of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) raises fines of “colorum” bus operators to as much as P1 million from the previous P6,000. Trucks and vans will have to pay P200,000 and jeepneys P50,000.
A statement of unity issued by Piston and other transport groups called the new order “unreasonable, oppressive, confiscatory, and contrary to due process of law.”
They said the new rules will only encourage corruption.
“JAO 2014-01 did not undergo a correct process for enactment. One public consultation is not enough to ratify the said order. In truth, majority of the stakeholders who attended the consultation expressed their objection to the draft of JAO 2014-01,” the statement said.
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