Piston urges anew SC to halt PUV modernization program

MANILA — Transport group Piston and other organizations on Monday filed a supplemental petition before the Supreme Court for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the PUV modernization program.

READ: End of the road? Philippine jeepneys face uncertain future 

Among the petitioners are Piston chairman Modesto Floranda, jeepney operator Jason Fajilagutan, Bayan Muna party-list coordinator Gaylord Despuez, Para-Advocates for Inclusive Transport member Edrich John Samonte, No To PUV Phaseout Coalition of Panay member Elmer Forro, and Komyut spokesperson Ma. Flora-May Cerna. 

The petition was a supplemental petition to the one filed before the original December 31, 2023 deadline for the consolidation of franchises for the modernization program. 

The deadline was extended up to April 30, 2024. 

The petitioners reiterated their arguments such as violation of their right to freedom of association as well as right to gainful employment and livelihood. 

In their petition, the group cited the case of Fajilagutan whose two units will be affected by the modernization program. 

“To reiterate, this will result to surrendering of jeepney units by the operators and drivers which is tantamount to a confiscation of their property and deprivation of their main source of livelihood. For failure to consolidate into juridical entities, the individual operators’ provisional authorities will be revoked, thereby prohibiting them from being registered and operated as public utility vehicles,” the group said in the petition filed by their counsels Atty. Neri Colmenares and Atty. Carlos Isagani Zarate. 

The petitioners also reiterated the grave and irreparable injury not only to them but to the public if the policy will be implemented. 

They argued that as of December 31, 2023, the latest LTFRB data showed that a significant number of jeepney routes across the country still have no consolidated entities which will result to zero operating jeepneys by May 1, 2024. 

Citing LTFRB data, the group said 313 routes in Metro Manila, 451 in the Bicol region, 122 in Ilocos region, among others, will be left with no operating jeepneys. 

“It is respectfully submitted that petitioners were able to clearly show prima facie evidence that they are entitled to the issuance of injunctive relief for having complied with the requirements set forth under the Rules, and that ultimately, show proof of grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of or in excess of jurisdiction,” the petitioners said.   

In a rally in front of the Supreme Court after the filing of the petition, lawyers Kristina Conti and Neri Colmenares as well as jeepney drivers and operators led by Piston Deputy Secretary General Bong Baylon urged the justices to issue a TRO before the deadline. 

“Alam namin matatalino ang mga hurado sa Supreme Court, alam nila kung tama yung programa o mali kaya kailangan na kailangan na magbababa ng TRO,” Baylon said. 

“Hindi madali magbalik ng prangkisa ah, pag nanalo kami sa Korte Suprema ngayon, bukas papasada na lahat ng na-cancel di ba? So yun ang hinihingi namin sa Korte Supreme, i-TRO na yan,” Colmenares said. 

“May punto yung House of Representatives investigation, ang tanong kasi nila, mayroon bang anomalya sa procurement ng modern jeepneys? Bakit parang luto na at China ang nag-supply ng modern jeepney,” Conti said. 

RELATED VIDEO