PUV operators, drivers defying transport ban face franchise revocation

March 18, 2020

An official of the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday warned that drivers, operators of public utility vehicles who will not comply with the public transport ban imposed due to the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon may face revocation of their franchise.

“Action against the franchise becomes important since operators may force their drivers to continue plying routes. The possible cancellation, etc. of the franchise could deter operators from doing so. The criminal case is distinct from the administrative remedy,” Justice Undersecretary and spokesperson Markk Perete said in a text message.

Perete said suspension of public transport is meant to minimize the mobility of people so they cannot be infected.

“Those who insist on operating these facilities and disobey orders from law enforcers to desist from further operations may be held to account,” he said.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said the public should cooperate or face charges for violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code which punishes “resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person ” or violation of Republic Act 113332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.

“That is how the law stands, and the reasoning behind it seems pretty straight forward: in times of a health event of a public concern, an unfounded insistence to act in a way that imperils our collective health can be criminally sanctioned,” Perete said. DMS