By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz/Philippine News Agency
MANILA – Motorcycle-hailing app Angkas and other motorcycle groups are mulling the filing of an injunction against the ban on sub-400cc motorcycles on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).
In a press conference at the Ilustrado Restaurant in Intramuros here, Ariel Inton, lawyer for Commuter Safety and Protection said they are initially planning to pursue an injunction against the ban to temporarily allow sub-400cc motorcycles back in the disputed area.
“Legal action is always open. And what are those? One, of course, is the case for an injunction. The prayer for the temporary restraining order against the ban,” Inton said.
Angkas and motorcycle groups cried foul over the enforcement of a ban on sub-400cc motorcycles on Osmeña Highway/SLEX from Magallanes in Makati to Sales interchange in Taguig City.
Angkas said the ban may be a form of discrimination against the poor since the price range of a common 100cc motorcycle is merely a fraction of the price of a 400cc motorcycle.
Inton said they are also planning to file a civil suit against Skyway O&M Corporation (SOMCO) and some of its executives.
“We are open, na syempre marami na naabala diyan, maraming naperwisyo (but many have already been bothered and have suffered because of this), civil case for damages against the corporation and on their corporate officers. Pwedeng i-include sila in this civil suit (They could be included in this civil suit),” Inton said.
Once SOMCO lifts the ban and agrees to a dialogue on the issue, Inton said they may still pursue legal action to prevent such a ban from happening again.
“Open pa rin ‘yung option namin for legal action. Kasi kahit naman may consultation, tapos wala rin ‘di ba? (We’re still open to legal action. Because even if there’s a consultation, what if nothing comes of it?),” Inton said.
He said SOMCO went beyond its jurisdiction when it enforced the ban without coordinating with the national or local government bodies.
“Malinaw na ang SOMCO sumobra sa kanilang discretion. Ano ba ang power ng SOMCO para mag-ban ng sasakyan? Kung ito ay palalampasin natin, baka pagdating ng panahon hindi lang motorsiklo ang i-ban niyan (It is clear SOMCO went beyond their discretion. What is the power of SOMCO to ban vehicles? If we allow this to happen, we may see them banning other types of vehicles in the future),” Inton said.
In a phone interview with Toll Regulatory Body (TRB) spokesperson Alberto Suansing, he said SOMCO had not coordinated with his office on the enforcement of the ban.
However, Suansing said the tollways corporation is allowed to enforce such a ban as it is within their jurisdiction.
“As far as coordination is concerned, with our office, TRB, wala silang ginawa. But then, on the other hand, there is a standing order nga na ‘yung sub-400cc is bawal sa tollway,” Suansing said.
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