Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Martin Delgra III is facing a graft case before the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged bias in giving franchises to public utility vehicles.
Efren de Luna, chairperson of the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization, also included board member Ronaldo Corpus in the charge sheet for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
He accused Delgra and Corpus of giving special treatment to some transport groups that had applied for franchises or certificates of public convenience to operate newly opened routes for public utility vehicles.
Delgra and Corpus supposedly favored transport groups when they closed applications for five routes even if there were still open franchises.
LTFRB Board Resolution No. 045 of 2018 opened a total of 1,229 franchises in eight “developmental” regions for the initial implementation of the Department of Transportation’s modernization program of public utility vehicles.
“Respondents’ acts clearly show bias and favoritism which gravely affects the transport sector, particularly other PUV operators who are segregated from particular applicants of groups without any reasonable distinction,” the complaint read.
“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 particular applicants which is contrary to law.”
De Luna urged Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales to place Delgra and Corpus under preventive suspension.
He said the evidence against the duo also warranted their dismissal from government service.
The resolution also showed that some routes, such as Panglao Airport to Tagbilaran City and Panglao Loop, were “still open” to franchise applicants.
De Luna claimed the LTFRB had informed them that franchises were already closed when they tried to apply.
He said the agency granted the franchise applications of several transport network vehicle service companies.
The transport group spared the other LTFRB board member, lawyer Aileen Lizada, from the charges.
The LTFRB issued a one-page statement commenting on De Luna’s filing of a graft case.
“Board Resolution No. 045 is not intended to give undue favor or advantage to any persons or group indicated therein. All applicants are still required to file their applications and undergo the necessary process in securing a certificate of public conveyance. They must show sufficient proof that they are eligible and qualified before the Board shall decide whether or not it will issue a certificate of public conveyance in favor of any applicant,” the statement read.
“The Board shall issue further comments upon receipt of the official copy of the complaint.”