LTFRB: Marathon hearings for erring bus companies

MANILA, Philippines –  The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will begin on Tuesday marathon hearings for bus firms summoned for allegedly participating in the Nov. 15 transport strike that stranded thousands of commuters in Metro Manila, an official said yesterday.

LTFRB executive director Dante Atienza told reporters during a forum that the board will hear an average of 10 cases a day until all 80 bus operators can air their side on why they did not field their buses last Monday.

Atienza said the basis of the show cause order was a report from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), which provided the list of buses that were not on the road during the strike.

Bus operators have denied participating in the strike, saying some of their buses were covered by the number coding scheme and other units were undergoing checkup on that day.

Atienza, however, said the MMDA has records of all the buses that were deployed during the strike and those that were kept inside terminals particularly those plying the Commonwealth route.

“It’s the word of the bus operators and MMDA, the board may call a clarificatory hearing if needed,” he said.

Atienza said sanctions on erring bus operators may range from reprimand, suspension or cancellation of franchise.