Judge inhibits from Uber case

MANILA, Philippines - A Quezon City judge who issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping the government from accepting applications from Uber and GrabCar partner drivers has inhibited himself from the case.

The TRO was in response to a petition filed by the Angat Tsuper Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator ng Pilipinas Genuine Organization Transport Coalition or Stop and Go Inc.

Regional Trial Court Branch 219 Judge Santiago Arenas refused to comment on his move but in a three-page order he issued, he said that he inhibited himself from trying the case because “his motives of fairness are being seriously impugned.”

Arenas recently issued a 20-day TRO stopping the implementation of Department of Transportation and Communications Order (DOTC) 2015-11 and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Memorandum Circulars 2015-15, 2015-16, 2015-17, and 2015-18, effectively suspending the acceptance, processing and approval of applications of motor vehicles as public utility vehicles accredited and belonging to transport network companies such as Uber and GrabCar.

He said there is an “extreme urgency to issue the TRO” to prevent grave and irreparable injury and damages to Stop and Go Inc.’s officers and members.

Arenas, however, clarified that the TRO does not stop the current operations of Uber and GrabCar, as it only covers future applications.

 Stop and Go Inc., however, questioned Arenas’ decision when he only restrained the acceptance and issuance of future applications for accreditation of transport network vehicles under Uber and GrabCar.

Stop and Go Inc. lawyer David Erro said the operations of the Uber and GrabCar should stop as they were created under the DOTC order and the LTFRB memorandum circulars that were suspended by the court.