LTFRB chief denies favoring certain PUV groups

MANILA, Philippines — Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin Delgra III yesterday insisted he never favored certain groups in granting franchises to public utility vehicles (PUVs).

Delgra belied the allegations of Alliance for Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO) president Efren de Luna that he showed bias and favoritism toward some transport groups for routes that were opened to commuter vehicles.

 “We have been saying that there is no undue advantage that were given to those prospective applicants,” he said in an interview with reporters.

A transport group, Delgra said, needs to undergo the process of submitting requirements before it is issued a certificate of public convenience.

Delgra said he has yet to receive a copy of the complaint for graft filed by De Luna against him and LTFRB board member Ronaldo Corpus before the Office of the Ombudsman.

“I would rather wait for the copy to be furnished to us and we would be able to address it squarely,” he said.

He maintained they have not committed irregularities in connection with the allegations that De Luna hurled against them.

Delgra said their main concern is the implementation of the PUV modernization program to ease the suffering of the riding public.