Gov't asks Supreme Court to define LTFRB's authority to suspend franchises

The Office of the Solicitor General has asked the Supreme Court to clarify the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board's authority to suspend bus franchises.

The request came after the Court of Appeals (CA) ordered LTFRB to lift GV Florida Bus Line's 6-month suspension, ruling the board exercised "grave abuse of discretion" in its decision to suspend the bus line.

GV Florida's entire bus fleet was banned from the road after one of the buses registered to the firm fell into a ravine in Bontoc, Mountain Province, killing 15 and injuring 32 others.

In a statement released Saturday, the LTFRB said it consulted with the OSG regarding the CA's decision on their ruling,leading to the government appeal.

LTFRB clarified that its suspension order will only be lifted if all bus units undergo roadworthiness inspection and their drivers complete the following requirements:

• drug testing
• driver's license from the Land Transportation Office
• National Competency III certification from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority

Once completed, the LTFRB will lift its order in September this year.

Survivors and families of those who died during the bus crash asked the LTFRB to ask the CA to reconsider its order.

Mariel Baja, sister of one of the 15 dead passengers from the bus crash in Bontoc, said the matter should be elevated to the Supreme Court if the CA denies the appeal. — Rie Takumi/JDS, GMA News