Legislators to join TRO bid against MRT, LRT fare hikes

Metro Rail and Light Rail Transit Systems. FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines — Senator  Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito will join other lawmakers and various groups in filing a temporary restraining order (TRO) at the Supreme Court on Tuesday against the fare hikes in Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT).

A media advisory sent to reporters on Monday said that Ejercito, along with  Parañaque Rep. Gustavo Tambunting, Ang Nars Partylist Rep. Leah Paquiz, Buhay Partylist Reps. Lito Atienza,  Irwin Tieng  and Mariano Michael Villarde, will file the TRO  at 10 a.m.

Other petitioners include  former Cavite Rep. Crispin “Boying” Remulla, Allan Tanjusay of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Allan Montano of the Federation of Free Workers, Leody de Guzman of the  Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Rene Magtubo of the Partido ng Manggagawa, and Annie Geron of the PS Link.

After the filing, the petitioners will hold a press conference at a restaurant in Ermita, Manila.

Ejercito said that at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the Senate committee on public services will  conduct a hearing on the  proposed fare hike of the Philippine National Railways and its planned modernization and rehabilitation of its trains and  other  facilities.