LTO asked to suspend memorandum on fines

CEBU, Philippines - The City Council is asking the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to suspend the implementation of an order for stiffer fines against drivers who violate road rules until the Supreme Court resolves the petition of transport groups that questions the order.

“There is a need to hold in abeyance the implementation of this JAO (Joint Administrative Order) so as not to override substantial justice due to the petition to nullify by some transport group which is pending in the Supreme Court of the Philippines,” reads the resolution penned by Councilor Nestor Archival.

The JAO, the Revised Schedule of Fines and Penalties for Violations of Laws, Rules and Regulations Governing Land Transportation, was issued by the Department of Transportation and Communications, the Land Transportation Office, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

The JAO imposes new set of fines ranging from P1,000 to P1 million against a violator.

Transport groups like the Pagkakaisa ng mga Sama-han ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) – Cebu has since protested the order for being “unjust and excessive.”

Archival said he learned about the plight of the drivers during a series of consultations and public hearings. He said it appears that the government is bent more on collecting fines rather than disciplining drivers.

“Despite the validity and constitutionality of the said order being a subject of some transport groups petition to nullify, which is still pending resolution from the Supreme Court, the implementation of said order has been started,” Archival noted.

“Sa Baguio (Baguio City Regional Trial Court) dunay Department Order sa LTO (LTO’s Department Order 2008-39) nga gi-declare og unconstitutional. Ang kaning DO, dagko’g fines. Unya kay gibasura man sa korte didto, naghimo sila og JAO. Mura’g dili na mana pagdisiplina ilaha, mura na og fund-raising,” Archival pointed out.

The JAO was implemented on June 19, 2014 across the country.

Under the JAO, colorum bus operators will be fined P1 million; truck and van operators will be fined P200,000; sedan operators will be fined P120,000; jeepney owners will be fined P50,000; and motorcycle operators will be fined P6,000.

The JAO also covers other public utility vehicle-related violations such as refusal to convey passengers to their destination; overcharging; employing reckless, insolent, discourteous or arrogant drivers; operating PUVs with defective parts; using tampered taximeters; and trip cutting.

The City Council also asked LTO to submit the list of traffic enforcers deputized to issue a temporary operator’s permit.  (FREEMAN)