MANILA, Philippines – GV Florida will be back on the road sooner than expected. 

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will comply with the decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) that lifted the suspension order against GV Florida bus line. 

All buses in the GV Florida were suspended by the LTFRB in March this year after one of its buses fell into a ravine in Bontoc, Mt Province. At least 14 people died on the spot and 31 were injured.  

The buses would have been suspended for 6 months, with the suspension lapsing in September this year. In a June 26 decision, however, the CA lifted the suspension order on 186 units of GV Florida, ruling that the LTFRB had committed grave abuse of discretion when it made an “illegal” order “without any factual and legal bases in the absolute absence of a violation or wrong committed.”

As a result, the LTFRB said Friday, July 18, that it will return and supervise the re-attachment of the yellow plates to the company.  

Survivors and the families of those who perished have called on the LTFRB and the government not to let GV Florida get off scot-free. LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said they will be appealing the decision before the Supreme Court (SC) after consultations with the Office of the Solicitor General. 

If the SC rules in favor of the LTFRB and reverses the CA decision, GV Florida will have to serve the remainder of the suspension order. – Rappler.com