CA rejects petition vs P10 provisional taxi fare rollback

MANILA, Philippines – A Court of Appeals division dismissed the petition of a party list seeking to stop the implementation of the P10 reduction on taxi fares as imposed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). 

The CA’s 13^th division junked the petition for certitorari and prohibition filed by 1-United Transport Koalisyon (1-UTAK) Party List, saying the petition was immature. 

Citing earlier Supreme Court rulings, the appellate court said a party is allowed to seek court intervention if all available administrative remedies have been availed. The CA explained the group’s motion for reconsideration is still pending before the LTFRB. 

“The petitioners are bound by procedural rules and may not disregard the same. It is not up to the petitioners to preempt the LTFRB’s action on their motions for reconsideration,” the CA division said in a 5-page resolution penned by Associate Justice Normandie Pizarro.

“The petitioners should have awaited the denial of their motions for reconsideration before filing the present petition,” it added.

Associate Justices Samuel Gaerlan and Ma. Luisa Quijano-Padilla concurred with the decision. 

In its petition, the party list asked the CA to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the implementation of the P10 reduction of the taxi flag down rate, saying it is unfair to taxi drivers and operators.

The LTFRB, for its part, earlier explained its decision, saying “the rights of public land transport operators vis-à-vis the interest of the public in general, which is of paramount importance.”

The LTFRB’s decision is in response to the petition filed by Negros Oriental Representative Manuel Iway, seeking to reduce the flag-down rate of taxis, as well as to give a P1 rebate for every succeeding 300 meters. – Rappler.com