Supreme Court temporarily stops Angkas operations

ANGKAS riders may now be apprehended, as the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against a Mandaluyong court ruling that barred authorities from intervening in the motorcycle ride-hailing firm’s operations.

The Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court earlier granted Angkas a preliminary injuction, preventing the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Department of Transportation (DOTr) from blocking its operations. The order, however, was appealed by the DOTr and LTFRB before the Supreme Court, saying Angkas’s operation is illegal.

“Our position is that motorcycles registered in the service are not authorized to conduct business and offer public transport under Republic Act 4136. For them to be allowed, the law has to be amended by Congress,” the DOTr and LTFRB said in a joint statement.

“If Angkas is to continue accrediting motorcycles registered as private vehicles to book rides and accept passengers for a fee, it is considered as without authority from the government regulators, and, therefore, are considered colorum vehicles,” the statement added.

In a resolution dated December 5, the high court said: “Now, therefore, effective immediately and continuing until further orders from this court, You (LTFRB), the respondent (Angkas), the Presiding Judge, Regional Trial Court (RTC) Brach 213 Mandaluyong City,

your representatives, all other persons acting on your behalf are hereby restrained from implementing the assailed RTC order dated August 20, 2018 in Civil Case R-MND-1801453-SC.”

The Supreme Court ordered Angkas operators to file a comment on the petition, as well as a motion to dismiss within 10 days from notice of the LTFRB and DOTr petition.

Asked for comment, DOTr communications director Goddes Libiran said the LFTRB sheriffs may now apprehend Angkas riders.

“The announcement would also address Angkas TNC (transport network company) and Angkas riders to cease and desist to avoid apprehension,” Libiran said.

Angkas, in a statement, said it was saddened by the Supreme Court’s issuance of a TRO, stressing “this comes at a time when hundreds of thousands of commuters need the Angkas service to beat the worsening holiday traffic.”

“This TRO also puts the livelihood of 25,000 biker-partners at risk a few days before Christmas, when their families need it the most,” it said.

Angkas vowed that it will continue its fight “to serve commuters in a safe and efficient manner, as well as legitimizing our riders.”

“We are hopeful that the Supreme Court will eventually rule in favor of the Filipino riding public,” it added. (SunStar Philippines)