Fake taxi franchises, DOTC investigation lost in limbo?

CEBU, Philippines - What happened to the investigation conducted by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) on the alleged fake franchises of around 2,000 taxi units operating in Metro Cebu in 2010?

The same question was also raised by Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 director Ahmed Cuizon who assumed office after the controversy.

Cuizon said that when he took over in December 2010, the investigation was already over and the result is allegedly now with the DOTC.

“I am also wondering what happened to that,” Cuizon said during the 888 News Forum held at the Marco Polo Plaza last Tuesday.

Cuizon said that it is like a case in court where both arguments have already been presented.

“We are only waiting for the decision,” he said.

Cuizon has attributed the delay in coming up with the decision to certain factors. One is when President Benigno Aquino III assumed office in July 2010, DOTC and LTFRB key officials were replaced not just once.

“God knows og kinsa pay mga nag-investigate niadto, most likely wa na siguro ron kay gipang-ilisan naman (most likely those who conducted the investigation before were already replaced),” Cuizon said.

With the changes made, Cuizon said the case was not given priority when one official passed on his duties to another.

“At a certain level wa nako kahibawo og kinsay follow- apon ug hain natong kasoha ron ( I do not know who and where to follow-up those cases anymore),” Cuizon added.

Sometimes in 2010, then LTFRB 7 director Benjamin Go learned that several taxi operators were able to get franchises for their taxi units by submitting fake documents since 2003.

When the LTFRB-Manila suspended the granting of taxi franchises in 2003, there were only about 4,000 taxi units in Metro Cebu. The number has since grown up to 6,000 taxi units.

An audit team of DOTC was sent to Cebu to conduct investigation upon the request of Go who is now assigned in Davao City.—(FREEMAN)