Lawmaker seeks prison term for colorum bus owners

MANILA, Philippines - A party-list congressman is proposing imprisonment and a fine of P1 million for operators of colorum or illegal buses to ease traffic congestion and lessen road accidents.

In filing Bill 4086, Rep. Jesulito Manalo of Angkla party-list group said one of the causes of vehicular accidents “is the unabated and blatant operation of colorum or unauthorized public motor vehicles, which contribute to the worsening traffic problem.”

He said illegal operators do not seem to mind the sanctions that transport agencies impose on them or are able to bribe officials to avoid punishment.

Manalo added that even legal operators resort to illegal activities like fielding vehicles not covered by their franchise or switching license plates.

Under the bill, the owner-operator of a colorum vehicle would face imprisonment of six months to six years or a fine of P1 million if he operates a public utility bus, P200,000 if it is a UV (utility vehicle) express, P125,000 if it is a taxicab, and P50,000 if it is a passenger jeepney.

If the owner-operator was a partnership or corporation, the responsible officers would be held criminally liable.  

The driver’s license of the person driving the colorum vehicle would be immediately confiscated and suspended for 12 months for the first offense and revoked for the second offense.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) would permanently impound the colorum vehicle.

In addition, all permits or franchises issued to the owner-operator of an unauthorized vehicle, including those that pertain to legally operated units, would be cancelled. 

The owner-operator would be perpetually disqualified to operate any kind of public transportation.

If the use of an illegal public utility vehicle results in physical injuries, damage to property, homicide and other crimes, this would be considered as an aggravating circumstance.

The LTFRB, Land Transportation Office and the Department of Transportation and Communications would be mandated to take measures to eliminate the use of unauthorized public utility vehicles.

The LTFRB would be responsible for the filing and prosecution of complaints against illegal operators.

Manalo said the proposed heavy penalties, along with strict enforcement, would discourage PUV operators from engaging in illegal activities.

“These would certainly ease traffic congestion and lessen road accidents,” he said.