Asianews

LTFRB: Unconsolidated PUVs apprehended starting today

MANILA, Philippines —  The Commission on Elections has unanimously decided not to allow candidate substitution based on withdrawal after the weeklong filing of certificate of candidacy (COC), Comelec officials said yesterday.

“Candidates, lay your cards on the table. Be up front about your candidacy and there will be no more changes,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said. “If you’re really decided, then lay it out at once. File your candidacy.”

At the Bagong Pilipinas public briefing yesterday, Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco said the commission has set from Oct. 1 to 8 the filing of COC for those running in the 2025 midterm elections.

At the same time, groups participating in the party-list elections may also file a Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance.

Laudiangco said the Comelec would allow filing of withdrawal and substitution only from Oct. 1 to 8. “If a candidate with a political party will withdraw from Oct. 9 onwards, it will no longer be allowed to substitute other candidate,” he noted in Filipino.

Garcia said the commission will only allow substitution of candidate on grounds of death or disqualification.

He said the substitute candidate must have the same surname as the one replaced and must belong to the same political party.

The official list of those running will be released early, according to the Comelec, to give voters enough time to screen them and file disqualification complaints if necessary.

Soon after the end of COC filing, Laudiangco said the Comelec will post the certified list of candidates in all the poll body’s offices.

“For what purpose? To show the public that these people have filed COC and so the evaluation and research into their persons can start if they deserve our vote or not,” he stressed.

Since it’s an automated election, Laudiangco said the list of candidates will also be posted on Comelec’s website for the public to see and thoroughly look into the identities of the aspirants.

“In order to see who are the candidates and those who want to file cancellation of COC, disqualification, nuisance can file at the correct Comelec office ,” he added.

Laudiangco said the commission will also allow electronic filing of petitions for disqualification or cancellation of COC so that complaints can be resolved quicker.

He said the commission wants all pending disqualification cases to have been resolved and nuisance candidates removed before the printing of ballots.

Despite the absence of an enabling law, the Comelec is pushing through with the planned internet voting in the May 2025 elections for Filipino voters abroad.

Garcia reported yesterday that the commissioners decided against the cancellation of the planned internet voting.

“We weighed the implications, all the possibilities, and we saw the need to proceed with the internet voting although it’s not in the law because no one is questioning it anyway before the Supreme Court,” Garcia told reporters.

“We felt the consequences would be heavier if we canceled internet voting, which is presently being expected by our countrymen abroad,” the chairman added.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III previously expressed his reservations over the use of internet voting in the 2025 midterm elections.

MANILA, Philippines —  The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will start apprehending today jeepneys that failed to meet the consolidation requirement.

LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said that the 15-day grace period since the April 30 deadline is over, effectively making over 10,000 jeepney units nationwide colorum vehicles.

The figure includes 1,900 unconsolidated units in Metro Manila alone, which will be considered as illegally operating as their franchises have lapsed.

“We can now flag down and we can apprehend drivers or vehicles because the grace period we had given them had already lapsed, so that those that were unconsolidated can no longer travel,” Guadiz said.

He added that the LTFRB had already issued show cause orders for the unconsolidated operators and drivers, and that the agency could begin apprehensions.

Drivers could face a one-year suspension of their license, as well as a hefty fine of P50,000 in penalties and 30-day impounding of their vehicles if caught in colorum operations.

The LTFRB said that it would require consolidated units to have their documents posted on their windshields for proper identification of vehicles.

Three to four critical areas in Metro Manila do not have consolidated units on their routes, according to Guadiz. This will be addressed by getting units from other routes to serve the affected areas.

“What we did was to issue a special order on the routes to fill those that were not able to have consolidated jeepneys. We had already fixed it,” he said.

Transport groups Manibela and Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) are still asking the Supreme Court to suspend the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

The groups are asking the SC to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) to allow unconsolidated operators to continue plying their routes.

Guadiz said they would respect the decision of the court if it does issue a TRO.

“We will allow the return of the 1,900 unconsolidated jeepney units to the roads,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has deputized traffic enforcers from some cities in Metro Manila to enforce traffic laws.

The MMDA had deputized traffic enforcers from the cities of Malabon, Mandaluyong, Valenzuela, San Juan, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City and the municipality of Pateros, according to information from the agency.

The MMDA had also issued identification cards to the undisclosed number of enforcers.

The delegation of traffic law enforcement is pursuant to an SC ruling in July last year that ordered local government units in Metro Manila to stop issuing traffic violation tickets and instead let the MMDA do the job through its single ticketing system.

Deputizing local traffic enforcers is the MMDA’s way of obeying the decision since its current manpower of 2,500 traffic enforcers is not enough to enforce traffic laws in the metropolis, according to MMDA acting Chairman Romando Artes.

The agency has yet to confirm or deny if the delegation of Metro Manila traffic enforcers is related to the apparent crackdown on jeepneys that failed to undergo franchise consolidation under the government’s PUVMP.

However, during its road clearing operations yesterday in areas in the cities of Pasay and Parañaque, particularly along EDSA, Macapagal Boulevard, NIA Road, Sucat Road and Tramo, MMDA enforcers issued tickets to some drivers of jeepneys, according to photos shared by the MMDA with media.

The drivers, however, were apprehended because of illegal parking along the Roxas Boulevard service road and not because they have been flagged as colorum.

The MMDA’s traffic enforcers apprehended 35 motorists, while 12 vehicles were towed during operations in Pasay and Parañaque, according to the agency.

Last month, the MMDA, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Transportation entered into a partnership aimed to intensify the campaign against unauthorized or colorum PUVs.

Under a task force against colorum PUV operators, violators shall be penalized with fines of up to P1 million as well as criminal charges.

The MMDA explained that the deputization of traffic enforcers has nothing to do with the government’s impending crackdown on colorum PUVs.

It stressed it is an “offshoot” of the SC decision. – Ghio Ong

More News

Bet substitution by COC withdrawal banned

MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed to support the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in its probe on the alleged wiretapping activities

SP New Energy crushed on MSCI deletion

According to a report by Miguel R. Camus of InsiderPH [link], Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. [CREC 3.88 pre-IPO] CEO Oliver Tan said that CREC moved its IPO back by a week to June

Twin girls, 5, die in Tondo fire

MANILA, Philippines — The upcoming closure of the five-star Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila hotel would be a “significant loss for the tourism industry,” the Department

Twin girls, 5, die in Tondo fire

MANILA, Philippines — The upcoming closure of the five-star Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila hotel would be a “significant loss for the tourism industry,” the Department

Twin girls, 5, die in Tondo fire

MANILA, Philippines — The upcoming closure of the five-star Sofitel Philippine Pla za Manila hotel would be a “significant loss for the tourism industry,” the

Twin girls, 5, die in Tondo fire

MANILA, Philippines — The upcoming closure of the five-star Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila hotel would be a “significant loss for the tourism industry,” the Department

Isabela sees socialized condo

MANILA, Philippines — A climate change panel has been formed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) amid La Niña’s expected damage to the agriculture sector. The

Isabela sees socialized condo

MANILA, Philippines — A climate change panel has been formed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) amid La Niña’s expected damage to the agriculture sector. The

Isabela sees socialized condo

MANILA, Philippines — A climate change panel has been formed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) amid La Niña’s expected damage to the agriculture sector. The

Isabela sees socialized condo

MANILA, Philippines — A climate change panel has been formed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) amid La Niña’s expected damage to the agriculture sector. The

UP creating archipelagic, oceanic university

MANILA , Philippines —  The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will start apprehending today jeepneys that failed to meet the consolidation requirement. LTFRB

UP creating archipelagic, oceanic university

MANILA, Philippines —  The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will start apprehending today jeepneys that failed to meet the consolidation requirement. LTFRB Chairman

UP creating archipelagic, oceanic university

MANILA, Philippines —  The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will start apprehending today jeepneys that failed to meet the consolidation requirement. LTFRB Chairman

UP creating archipelagic, oceanic university

MANILA, Philippines —  The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will start apprehending today jeepneys that failed to meet the consolidation require ment. LTFRB

Lotto results for May 15, 2024

MANILA, Philippines — The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are heading to the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals after squeaking past the TNT Tropang Giga in

1$:57.505

MANILA, Philippines — The ASEAN University Network (AUN) has opened applications for scholarships for qualified persons with disabilities (PWDs) f rom the Philippines and other

Beermen flatten, eliminate Dyip

BAGUIO CITY —  The Philippines-Australia Army to Army exercises dubbed “Kasangga” 01-2024 started Monday at the 5th Infantry “Star” Division (5ID) headquarters, in Camp Melchor

COPA ‘All For One’ swim fest sa RSMC

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday called on local government units (LGUs), especially in Metro Manila, to

COPA ‘All For One’ swim fest sa RSMC

CANNES, France — A blood-splattered “Mad Max” heroine, a Meryl Streep masterclass, a #MeToo figurehead — the Cannes Film Festival showed the progress women have made in

Jokic, Nuggets tame Wolves to go up 3-2

MANILA, Philippines — The House youth and sports committee on Wednesday considered a legislation that would provide retired Filipino olympians with a lifetime monthly pension

Jokic, Nuggets tame Wolves to go up 3-2

MANILA, Philippines – Ryuji Suzuki and Maurysse Abalos shone brightly in the Junior Philippine Golf Tour Luzon Series, pulling off thrilling victories in the 8-10

Meralco rates up this month

MANILA, Philippines — The shearline and easterlies may bring rains over parts of the country today, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services

Citicore Renewable IPO pushed back to June 7

MREIT [MREIT 12.80, down 1.2%; 380% avgVol] [link] announced that it has applied to the SEC to approve a property-for-share swap transaction with its parent company, Megaworld [MEG

Meralco rates up this month

Citicore Renewable Energy Corporation [CREC 3.88 pre-IPO] [link] pushed its IPO back one week to June 7, with a revised offer period between May 27 and

Tit for tat

MANILA, Philippines — Social media users who uploaded a deepfake audio recording of President Marcos are facing cybercrime charges filed by a group of social

Tit for tat

MANILA, Philippines — Social media users who uploaded a deepfake audio recording of President Marcos a re facing cybercrime charges filed by a group of

Tit for tat

MANILA, Philippines — Social media users who uploaded a deepfake au dio recording of President Marcos are facing cybercrime charges filed by a group of

Tit for tat

MANILA, Philippines — Social media users who uploaded a deepfake audio recording of President Marcos are facing cybercrime charges filed by a group of social

Zaragosa, Sarines share JPGT lead

MANILA, Philippines – A historic double crown is here for National University’s taking. And without an inch of hesitation, the Bulldogs and the Lady Bulldogs

NAIA escalators to be fixed by June

MANILA, Philippines — Haharap sa reklamong libelo at cyber libel ang ilang personalidad matapos diumano magkalat ng disinformation tungkol kay dating Sen. Sonny Trillanes IV, isa

PVL to hold 1st-ever rookie draft

MANILA, Philippines — Patuloy na nanawagan sa Korte Suprema ang isang transport group na harangin ang pagpapatupad ng kontrobersyal na public utility vehicle modernization program

Red Bull 3×3 cagefest wraps up Manila stop

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas and University of Batangas crowned themselves the men’s and women’s champions, respectively, in the 1st PG Flex-Universities and Colleges

FMEFT halted due to broken price tracker

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos impressed Irish singer-songwriter Niall Horan so much that he repeatedly praised them during his return to the Philippines after six years. The

OceanaGold falls 6% in first day of trading

Citicore Energy REIT [CREIT 2.83, up 0.3%; 345% avgVol] [link] and MREIT [MREIT 12.96, up 0.1%; 96% avgVol] [link] declared their Q1 dividends on Monday, while Filinvest REIT [FILRT 2.93,

The week ahead

OceanaGold PH [OGP 12.50, down 6.2%; 100% avgVol] [link] dropped a little over 6% in its first day of trading, falling P0.82 from its P13.33/share IPO

DepEd eyes Saturday classes

For many of us, th e dark memory of the COVID-19 pandemic still lingers, as if 2020 was just yesterday, and I’m sure many will

DepEd eyes Saturday classes

For many of us, the dark memory of the COVID-19 pandemic still lingers, as if 2020 was just yesterday, and I’m sure many will agree

DepEd eyes Saturday classes

For many of us, the dark memory of the COVID-19 pandemic still lingers, as if 2020 was just yesterday, and I’m sure many will agree

DepEd eyes Saturday classes

For many of us, the dark memory of the COVID-19 pandemic still lingers, as if 2020 was just yesterday, and I’m sure many will agree

Waffling

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday reminded the public that the identification cards for its service fairs are free and no payment is needed to access

Waffling

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday reminded the pu blic that the identification cards for its service fairs are free and no payment is needed to

Waffling

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday reminded the public that the identification cards for its service fairs are free and no payment i s needed to

Waffling

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday reminded the public that the identification cards for its service fairs are free and no payment is needed to access

PNP probes ‘data breach’

MANILA, Philippines — In daily life, modern plumbing plays a pivotal role, facilitated by a commit ment to innovation and the use of high-quality materials,

PNP probes ‘data breach’

MANILA, Philippines — In daily life, modern plumbing plays a pivotal role, facilitated by a commitment to innovation and the use of high-quality materials, ensuring

PNP probes ‘data breach’

MANI LA, Philippines — In daily life, modern plumbing plays a pivotal role, facilitated by a commitment to innovation and the use of high-quality materials,

PNP probes ‘data breach’

MANILA, Philippines — In daily life, modern plumbing plays a pivotal role, facilitated by a commitment to innovation and the use of high-quality materials, ensuring

Ardina ties for 13th as Guce falters

MANILA, Philippines – First-time PVL champion Bea De Leon said there was no intention to provide the finishing blow against her former team Choco Mucho

Bolts sweep past Road warriors

LOS ANGELES – Tyrese Haliburton scored 20 points and the Indiana Pacers dismantled the New York Knicks, 121-89, on Sunday (Monday Manila time) to level

Scroll to Top