finally! sweet!!!!



http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/299834...hise-cancelled

Claire's bus franchise cancelled

LTFRB cites firm’s participation in November 15 transport strike
By KRIS BAYOS
January 21, 2011, 6:14pm
MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Friday cancelled the franchise of singer Claire de la Fuente's bus firm for participating in a transport strike that stranded thousands of commuters in Metro Manila last November 15.
In a 10-page resolution, the LTFRB cancelled the certificate of public convenience (CPC) of the 107 authorized public utility bus (PUB) units of Philippine Corinthian Liner Corporation, De la Fuente’s bus company, after it found no merit in her arguments defending her bus firm's participation in the transport strike.

In explaining the LTFRB decision, Board Member Manuel Iway said De la Fuente had insisted that staging a transport strike is legal and lawful even if it would paralyze transportation and inconvenience the public.
“We cancelled their CPCs because their defenses centered on procedural issues and violation of due process. They gave flimsy arguments when asked to justify their participation in the bus strike and even claimed that it is their right to stage a strike to air their grievances,” he said.
Iway said transportation is a vital industry that affects the public and staging a transport strike is illegal and unlawful based on the Public Service Act.
Although the LTFRB ordered Dela Fuente to immediately surrender the yellow plates issued to all her PUBs, the agency gave her 15 days to file her motion for reconsideration.
“If we still do not find merit in her motion and decide to stand by our first ruling to cancel her firm's franchise, she still can appeal the decision before the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) within 30 days. If the DoTC affirms our decision, the cancellation of franchise will take effect,” he said.
Given the LTFRB's decision on the case of Dela Fuente's firm, Iway warned other public utility vehicle (PUV) operatorsfrom threatening the government of staging a strike.
“The Board hopes to send a strong message to all erring PUV operators that their CPC is a mere privilege or license that is granted to them by the State. Since it is always subject to State regulation, their CPC can be revoked or cancelled once they violate any condition of the franchise,” he said.
Iway also urged other transport groups mulling to go on strike over pending fare hike petitions and the recent oil price increases to drop their plans.
“They just have to wait for the decision of the Board on their respective petitions. We assure them that we are giving due attention in studying and deliberating before deciding on their cases. But if they cannot wait and still stage their demonstrations, be assured that the State is not and will not be bound by their whims and caprices,” he said.
The case of Dela Fuente's Philippine Corinthian Liner Corporation is one of the five cases that the LTFRB resolved on Friday.
But unlike Philippine Corinthian Liner Corporation, E.S. Transport and Bovjen Transport Services were only meted out suspension of three and six months, respectively. Based on LTFRB records, E.S. Transport has 10 authorized PUBs while Bovjen Transport has 16.