Abaya, Ginez face graft raps

MANILA, Philippines - A transport group filed graft charges yesterday against two government officials before the Office of the Ombudsman for allowing the allegedly illegal operation of transport network companies in the country.

The Angat Tsuper Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator ng Pilipinas Genuine Organizations Transport Coalition Inc. (Stop & Go), represented by its president Pascual Magno Jr., named Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Winston Ginez as well as Uber, Grab and U-Hop as respondents.

Magno accused Abaya and Ginez for allowing the firms to operate without the requirements prescribed under the law, including certificates of public convenience.    

He said the operations of Uber, Grab, and U-Hop has caused taxi drivers to lose income and worsened traffic jams in the metropolis.

Magno said since taxis were allowed to operate starting in the 1950s, only 25,000 plied the streets. However, since the two officials started accrediting the transport network firms in 2015, 24,000 units are operating in Metro Manila alone.