Petition vs PUV modernization still under SC deliberations

The petition of transport groups and other individuals against the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) is still undergoing deliberation in the Supreme Court (SC), the high tribunal's spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting said Thursday.

"The case is still currently under deliberations," Ting said on the sidelines of the SC press conference on the 2024 Shari'Ah Bar.

Ting issued the remark two days after the April 30 deadline for unconsolidated PUVs to form or join transportation cooperatives or corporations.

According to Ting, the high court is also currently on a decision writing period from April 22 to May 10.

Meanwhile, she clarified that the petition is not moot despite passing the consolidation deadline.

"Kung may TRO man, it just means that what they prayed for in their petition for TRO… will be granted as of the day na grinant 'yung TRO," she said.

(If a TRO will be granted, it just means that what they prayed for in their petition will be granted on the day that the petition is granted.)

The petitioners earlier filed their plea with the SC in December 2023, asking for a TRO or a writ of preliminary injunction against several issuances related to the PUVMP.

On Monday, they filed a supplemental petition and again asked the SC to issue a TRO.

The petitioners are PISTON chairman Modesto Floranda, Jason Jajilagutan, Para-Advocates For Inclusive Transport member Edric Samonte, No to PUV Phaseout Coalition of Panay member Elmer Forro, and Komyut spokesperson Ma. Flora Cerna. Multi-sectoral group Bayan Muna party-list, represented by coordinator Gaylord Despuez, is also among the petitioners.

On the other hand, the respondents are the DOTr and the LTFRB. The two agencies earlier asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the petition against the PUVMP for lack of merit. They argued that the petition violated the hierarchy of courts and that they have authority to issue the assailed policies.

Under the program, jeepney drivers and operators are required to join or form cooperatives. They may also apply for new franchises but as part of transport cooperatives.

Over the weekend, the DOTr also said it would implement the PUVMP while waiting for the decision of the Supreme Court. The agency said unconsolidated operators and drivers will be notified that their franchises are revoked "a week or two" after the deadline.

Some drivers, meanwhile, continued to ply their routes, saying they have mouths to feed and bills to pay. — VDV, GMA Integrated News