LTFRB recalls franchises of 5 bus firms

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has recalled the franchises it issued to five bus companies last month after the Office of Solicitor General (OSG) maintained that the so-called “Lazarus” franchises were still covered by a Supreme Court temporary restraining order (TRO).

In its four-page legal opinion sent to the LTFRB on Tuesday, the OSG said that the high court’s TRO preventing the enforcement of the Court of Appeals’ decision awarding the 489 franchises to a group of former employees of the defunct Pantranco bus company “remains to be valid and effective” despite the high court’s April 2017 resolution declaring the case “close and terminated.”

Still effective

“Pursuant to Section 5, Rule 58 of the Rules of Court, (a) restraining order issued by the Supreme Court or a member thereof shall be effective until further orders,” the OSG said.

It added that the April 2017 resolution “does not have legal implication and effect over” the case of Philippine Rabbit Bus Lines against the Pantranco Employees Association.

Last month, LTFRB chair Martin Delgra III issued a compliance order allowing the registration of the 489 franchises.

He said then that the order did not conflict with the high court’s TRO as “conflict is relative to those who would be adversely affected.”

The LTFRB issued the recall order to Pangasinan Five Star Bus, Bataan Transit, Victory Liner, Luzon Cisco Transport and First North Luzon Transit.