The United Cebu Taxi Operators Association (UCTOA) has filed a Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition with an Application for Temporary Restraining Order and Writ of Preliminary Injunction against officials of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Petition Targets LTFRB Officials
Lawyer Rey Gealon, representing UCTOA, named LTFRB Chairperson Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II, Board Member Engineer Isagani M. Victorio, and Atty. Sherwin D. Bizconde as respondents. Bizconde signed the controversial Memorandum Circular 2026-037, issued on May 14, 2026.
The circular grants 1,000 franchises or slots for Electric Vehicle (EV) taxis, with applications reportedly accepted starting May 21, 2026.
Allegations of Unfairness
UCTOA criticized the move as unjust to local taxi operators, alleging it favors a foreign operator managing EVs in Metro Cebu. Gealon stated that LTFRB's action bypassed due process.
He clarified that they are not opposed to EV operations but insisted on public hearings, consultations with local operators, and notification to the local government unit. "They cannot just open the franchise without local operators being able to avail of it," Gealon said during a press conference on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
Impact on Local Operators
Dolores Corominas, a local transportation operator, expressed that LTFRB's action deprives local operators of livelihood opportunities. Aldrin Racaza, a Ken Taxi driver, noted that the oversupply of taxis has intensified competition, reducing their income.
This newspaper gave LTFRB an opportunity to comment on the issue, but no official statement has been received as of press time despite attempts to contact them.
