Fate of Don Mariano Transit Corp. in the hands of DOTC – LTFRB

The fate of Don Mariano Transport Corporation (DMTC), which figured in a horrific bus accident last December, is now entirely in the hands of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) after the Court of Appeals junked the request of the bus company to let its fleet ply the street of Metro Manila anew. 

 

The Court of Appeals has junked the petition of Don Mariano to review the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) decision that revoked the company's Certificates of Public Convenience, the board said in an emailed statement Monday.

 

Without the certificates, the bus company has no right operate as a transportation company.

 

According to the July 17 appellate court decision, the DMTC appeal was "premature" as it has a similar appeal pending before the DOTC.

 

DOTC, as mandated by law, may lift the revocation order issued by LTFRB. 

 

The appellate court noted if the DOTC decision will not favor the bus company, the case may only be appealed by DMTC before the Office of the President.

 

"Walang operations ang Don Mariano," Mary Ann Salada, DOTC spokesperson, told GMA News Online in a text message. "Hanggat wala pang desisyon 'yung DOTC, 'di pwedeng bumiyahe."

 

Early this year, the LTFRB cancelled the Don Mariano franchise after one of its buses figured in the Skyway crash that killed 21 people last December 16.

 

About 78 Don Mariano buses were ordered off the street, while 500 people have been rendered jobless following the board's decision. 

 

The bus company filed for a motion for reconsideration which was, however, denied. 

 

This prompted the bus company to elevate the case separately over to the DOTC and the Court of Appeals.

 

Apart from the December 16 incident, the LTFRB has recorded four other accidents involving the bus company in 2012. 

 

“We hail the CA’s decision to deny Don Mariano Transit Corp.’s petition and have all their units remain grounded to prevent similar road accidents from happening in our roads,” Atty. Winston Ginez, LTFRB chairman said in the same statement. – VS, GMA News