LTFRB member scolded for criticizing DOTr memo

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) yesterday admonished Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) board member Aileen Lizada for stating that a memorandum circular covering public utility vehicles using the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) violated several laws.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said he is standing by the issuance of Department Order No. 2018-025 for the operations of PITX and also expressed support to the issuance of LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2018-022 Tugade stressed the department order is in favor of the commuters.

The DOTr said Lizada’s dissenting opinion on the circular is a direct assault on the wisdom and policy of the department order.

Lizada had claimed the department order violates the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Civil Code and Administrative Code.

Tugade, however, said Lizada should express her concerns to her superiors instead of going to the media.

“The DOTr strongly reminds Lizada to address her issues regarding DO 2018-025 and MC 2018-022 directly with the board and if she fails to convince the board, to take it up with her superiors in the DOTr, instead of peddling her opinions to the media,” he said.

Expressing her dissenting opinions publicly in the guise of speaking on behalf of her office not only violates the media protocol set by the DOTr to all line agencies, but also belies the fact that her office is part of the LTFRB, Tugade pointed out.

GMA News quoted Lizada as saying the memorandum could favor some bus operators and violate the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The memorandum signed by LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra III and board member Ronaldo Corpus mandates all public utility vehicles originating from the provinces southwest of Metro Manila to end their routes at the PITX. These include routes from Batangas and Cavite.

City buses originally ending trips in Baclaran and at the Southwest Interim Transport Terminal should use the new terminal.

In a statement, the LTFRB slammed Lizada for her allegations.

“We reiterate our condemnation of allegations of corruption in the approval of MC 22, and strongly urge BM Lizada to stop feeding false, unfounded and malicious allegations to the media and the public, as it will only promote divisiveness and prevent the LTFRB, the DOTr and our country from moving forward,” it said.