The nationwide crackdown against colorum public utility vehicles will likely proceed after the Supreme Court (SC) did not immediately grant the plea of transport groups for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) enjoining the full implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
In a statement, SC spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting revealed the High Court En Banc has taken cognizance of the supplemental petition filed by transport groups led by Piston on April 29.
The SC directed the respondents, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), to comment on the supplemental petition.
The High Tribunal merely required the respondents to comment within a non-extendible period 10 days on the petitioner’s plea for the issuance of a TRO and/or a writ of preliminary injunction.
In particular, it asked the respondents for a status update regarding the current progress of the consolidation of PUV franchises within the National Capital Region and other regions of the country on a per route basis.
The SC also sought a status update on the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) per locality and the Route Rationalization Plan. Finally, it required the respondents on the status of the hearings before the House of Representatives on the matter.
This came after SC magistrates acted on the supplemental petition during its regular en banc on Tuesday.
Transport groups led by Piston and MANIBELA chairperson Mar Valbuena earlier held a protest action outside the SC to urge the justices to immediately issue a TRO against the PUVMP and hear their side on the issue by holding an oral argument.