SC blocks order stopping gov’t from arresting Angkas drivers

The Supreme Court (SC) has temporarily blocked a local judge’s order that stopped the government from arresting drivers of motorcycle ride-sharing app Angkas.

The High Court’s Second Division has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the implementation of a Mandaluyong judge’s directive for the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) not to interfere with Angkas operations.

In a December 5 resolution obtained by the media Wednesday, the SC ordered Judge Carlos Valenzuela and the operator of Angkas to comment on the LTFRB and Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) petition for certiorari within 10 days after receiving the notice.

Earlier this year, Valenzuela granted Angkas an injunctive relief and prohibited the transport regulator from apprehending Angkas bikers and from obstructing Angkas from doing business.

The LTFRB sought relief from the High Court, which considered that Angkas and its accredited drivers are engaged in the business of public service and must be subject to regulation.

The TRO, the justices said, would "prevent an injustice to petitioners whose regulatory powers are being parred down."

The SC said it has yet to resolve the LTFRB’s main petition and is not necessarily giving due course to the pleading by issuing the TRO.

The high court also required the LTFRB and the DOTr to pay a lacking P1,000-fee and submit documents in accordance with court rules. 

In a statement, Angkas said the TRO puts the livelihood of 25,000 biker-partners at risk before Christmas.

"This comes at a time when hundreds of thousands of commuters need the Angkas service to beat the worsening holiday traffic," Angkas head of operations David Medrana said.

Medrana said, Angakas is hopeful that the Supreme Court will "eventually rule in favor of the Filipino riding public."

For its part, the Transportation Department welcomed the SC decision, saying it is in line with efforts to prioritize the safety and security of the public.

"Our position remains the same—motorcycles registered in the service are not authorized to conduct business and offer public transport under Republic Act 4136. For them to be allowed, the law has to be amended by Congress," it said.

"Additionally, the safety of patrons and commuters are also put at risk, as motorcycles are not considered a safe mode of public transport," added the DOTr. — with Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas and Ted Cordero/VDS/KBK/RSJ/BM, GMA News