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 operat i ons.

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 oper at i ons.

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 as-