MANILA — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday stressed that it does not extend favoritism or undue advantage to operators and drivers, who are applying for franchises of modern public utility jeepneys in compliance with the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
The Board made this statement as transport group Alliance for Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO) filed a graft complaint against LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III for allegedly showing bias in opening routes to operators and drivers of the modern jeepneys.
Aside from Delgra, ACTO president Efren de Luna sued LTFRB Board Member Ronaldo Corpus for graft.
De Luna alleged that the LTFRB has prevented other transport groups from applying for a certificate of public convenience (CPC) to ply certain routes because these are already considered closed for franchise.
LTFRB Board Resolution No. 045 series of 2018, which was issued last May, opened a total of 1,229 franchises across eight regions for the initial implementation of the PUVMP.
“Board Resolution No. 045 is not intended to give undue favor or advantage to any person or group indicated therein. All applicants are still required to file their applications and undergo the necessary process in securing a CPC. They must show sufficient proof that they are eligible and qualified before the Board shall decide whether or not it will issue a CPC in favor of any applicant,” the LTFRB said in a statement Tuesday.
The Board shall be issuing further statements once it received an official copy of the complaint. (Aerol John Pateña/PNA)
