Lawmakers seek TRO vs. MRT, LRT fare hikes

Another group of petitioners, this time led by lawmakers, including Sen. JV Ejercito, has asked the Supreme Court to stop the fare rate increase of the Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit.

In their plea, the petitioners said the government committed grave abuse of discretion in approving and issuing Department Order No. 2014-014, which they said violated several provisions under the 1987 Constitution.

Joining Ejercito in the petition were Parañaque Rep. Gustavo Tambunting; Ang Nars party-list Rep. Leah Paquiz;  Buhay party-list Reps. Lito Atienza, Irwin Tieng and Mariano Michael Vellarde; former Cavite Rep. Crispin Remulla;  Allan Tanjusay of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines; Allan Montaño, Federation of Free Workers; Leody De Guzman, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino; Rene Magtubo, Partido Manggagawa; and Annie Geron of PS LINK.

The group, which sought the issuance of a temporary restraining order against the fare hike while the high court hears the petition, said their right to due process under Section I of Article III was violated when the fare hike was implemented on January 4 without any hearing that would have allowed stakeholders to be heard and refute the hike.

They said the increase also violated Article XIII of the Constitution on “Social Justice.”

“It is believed that as a public utility providing public service, the operation or service that the mass railways transport system provides shall take into consideration the condition of the riding public, which in majority composes of small income emplyees, laborers and workers,” read the petition.

Named respondents were the Department of Transportation and Communications, LRT Authority, MRT Corp., and Light Rail Manila Consortium.

Violation of rights

The petitioners said the government failed to meet the requirements on full public disclosure when the hike was implemented, which they said was in violation of Section 28 of Article II of the Constitution.

They also said the public has the right to know the basis of the fare adjustments. Likewise, the government has the responsibility to protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare.

The group said the fare hike should have first complied with publication, notice and hearing requirements.

They said the rate to be approved should also have been approved by public service operators, according to Commonwealth Act of  146 or the Public Service Law.

Four other petitions have earlier been filed with the Supreme Court contesting the MRT and LRT fare hikes.

Under the new scheme, the maximum fare on the train lines went up to between P28-30, from the previous P15-20. —KBK, GMA News