CA junks bid vs. lowered taxi flag-down rate

The Court of Appeals (CA) has junked the petition of two groups seeking to invalidate the government's decision bringing down the taxi flag-down rate from P40 to P30.

Dismissed on the ground of technicality was the petition filed by the Fair Organization of Taxi Drivers of the Philippines, Inc. and Alliance of National Urban Poor Organizations Assembly, Inc (ANUPA) against the decision issued by the Land Transportation Frachising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on March 8, 2016.

In a resolution, the CA 13th Division said the petitioners failed to comply with its directive to correct the defects in their pleading.

The Court said the LTFRB decision attached to the petition was a mere photocopy and the petitioners failed to attach copies of the pleadings and relevant documents.

The petitioners also failed to state what government-issued identification cards they presented before the notary public who notarized the verification and certification on non-forum shopping.

Citing Rule 46, Section 3 of the Rules of Civil Procedure, the CA said failure to comply with the requirements for filing a petition would be sufficient ground for the dismissal of the petition.

"In the instant case, petitioners did not offer any explanation at all as to why, to date, they have not complied with the resolutions dated May 4, 2016 and May 8, 2017. Thus, due to petitioners' repeated failure to comply with the foregoing directives, the Court deems it appropriate to dismiss the petition," the resolution stated.

The fare structure, which came as a result of lower oil prices in the world market at the time, is effective nationwide, except in Baguio City where the flag-down rate is P30, P2 for every succeeding 400 meters and P2 for the waiting time per 60 seconds.

For airport taxis, the LTFRB fixed the permanent flag-down rate to P60 for the first 500 meters, P4 for every succeeding 500 meters after the first 500 meters, and P4 for the waiting time per 90 seconds.

The taxi groups then went to the CA to oppose the fare rollback, citing increasing cost for labor, basic commodities and spare parts. —ALG, GMA News