LTFRB files comment on PUV franchise consolidation at Supreme Court

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Teofilo Guadiz lll during the press briefing in Quezon city (NOY MORCOSO/INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has submitted its comment on the petition filed by a transport group in Supreme Court (SC).

The case involves the petitioners’ opposition to government’s Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program.

“Nakapagbigay na kami ng comment last week at nakapaghain na po kami ng aming sagot,” LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said on Monday.

(We gave a comment last week, and we have filed our answer.)

SC previously ordered LTFRB and Department of Transportation (DOTr) to give their side on transport group Piston’s petition.

Guadiz withheld divulging more details on their comment.

“We cannot give you an update, because there is a rule po sa ating batas, which is sub judice (under a judge),” he said.

(We cannot give you an update because there is a rule in our law, which is  sub judice.)

“Bawal po kaming magkomento sa isang existing case po. Baka ma-cite po kami in contempt,” he explained.

(We cannot comment on an existing case because we might get cited in contempt.)

Piston was hoping the High Court would issue a temporary restraining order on PUV modernization program, given that the deadline set by LTFRB on PUV franchise consolidation is on January 31.

But the justices, for now, only directed LTFRB and DOTr to reply to the petition.