Court allows Angkas to resume operations

MANILA, Philippines — A Mandaluyong court has given the green light for motorcycle-taxi app Angkas to operate in the country, at least for now. 

Judge Carlos Valenzuela of the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court Branch 213 issued a writ of preliminary injunction in favor of Angkas.

“Guys, we’re a little shookt. Please give us time to adjust, alam namin excited kayo. Konting patience muna, mga mumsh. We’ll try to get more bikers to serve you all! #AngkasIsBack,” the firm tweeted yesterday afternoon.

The order, dated Aug. 20 but only released recently, said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the Department of Transportation and its agencies are barred from interfering with Angkas’ operations pending the hearing for its main petition of declaratory relief.

The court order also prohibited the apprehension of Angkas bikers when they are in “lawful pursuit of their work.”

The government is also enjoined from performing any act that will impede, obstruct, frustrate or defeat Angkas’ lawful business through its mobile application.

Angkas filed a petition for declaratory relief with prayer for issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction on July 4. 

Angkas shut down its operations in November last year after the LTFRB and the Makati City government shuttered its main training center.

The LTFRB has thumbed down talks with Angkas, saying that the company should talk to Congress if they want to be granted authority to operate as a public utility vehicle under the Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

Welcome ruling

A committee of the House of Representatives lauded the ruling.

“It’s a welcome development for the public, as a critical transportation lifeline reopens to them. We know that improvements to mass transport are underway, but people cannot wait any longer for Metro Rail Transit Line 7 and the subway. They need Angkas now,” said Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo, who heads the House committee on Metro Manila development. 

The court order was presented by Angkas operations head David Medrana to the panel in a hearing held Wednesday afternoon.

In a hearing before the committee in June, LTFRB executive director Samuel Jardin said they are not closing their doors on reviving the “motorcycle taxis,” especially now that the traffic situation is getting worse due to the government’s Build Build Build program.– With Delon Porcalla