ACTO sues LTFRB chair Delgra for alleged bias in PUV franchises

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin Delgra III has been charged for graft at the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday over his alleged bias in granting franchises for public utility vehicles (PUVs).

Alliance for Concerned Transport Organizations president Efren de Luna sued Delgra for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. He also included LTFRB Board Member Ronaldo Corpus as a respondent.

In his complaint-affidavit, De Luna said Delgra and Corpus showed bias and favoritism for several transport groups who applied for Certificates of Public Convenience (CPC) to operate newly-opened routes for PUVs.

LTFRB Board Resolution No. 045, series of 2018 opened a total of 1,229 franchises across eight regions for the initial implementation of the Department of Transportation’s PUV Modernization Program.

However, De Luna said the respondents seemed to favor certain transport groups when they closed applications for five routes when in fact these franchises are still open under the same LTFRB resolution.

These routes include the Panglao Airport to Tagbilaran City Pier in Bohol, municipality of Cordova to Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu, and Puerto Bugo to Waterpark Resort in Opol, Misamis Oriental.

“Respondents’ acts clearly show bias and favouritism which gravely affects the transport sector, particularly other PUV operators who are segregated from particular applicants of groups without any reasonable distinction,” De Luna said.

“It is exasperating that the LTFRB would not take on other applicants on certain opened routes because such routes are already exclusively reserved and segregated for particularly applicants which is contrary to law,” he added.

De Luna also appealed for the Ombudsman to preventively suspend Delgra and Corpus, saying the evidence against them is strong and could lead to their dismissal from the service.

De Luna said the suspension also prevents them from compromising records and potential witnesses at the LTFRB.

Delgra reacts

In a statement, Delgra rebuked De Luna even if he has yet to secure a copy of the complaint.

He said the LTFRB gave no favors to any transport group, while the assailed resolution provides the fair application of CPCs where groups need to provide proof of their qualification.

“Board Resolution No. 045 is not intended to give undue favor or advantage to any person or group indicated therein. All applicants are still required to file their applications and undergo the necessary process in securing a CPC,” Delgra said.

“They must show sufficient proof that they are eligible and qualified before the Board shall decide whether or not it will issue a CPC in favor of any applicant,” he added. —KG/RSJ, GMA News