In a significant administrative move, Eduardo Montealto Jr., the regional chief of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas (LTFRB 7), has been officially relieved from his position. The order took effect on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
Leadership Change Amidst Silence
The agency has not yet provided specific reasons for Montealto's relief or announced his permanent successor. This lack of official explanation has sparked speculation, linking the decision to longstanding disputes between the LTFRB 7 office and local public utility vehicle stakeholders.
Multiple attempts by SunStar Cebu to contact Montealto for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls prior to publication.
A Tenure Marred by Protest and Allegations
Montealto's leadership was consistently challenged by transport groups, most notably the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) Cebu. In 2023, tensions boiled over, with members of the group staging protests and demanding his immediate resignation.
Greg Perez, the president of Piston Cebu, was vocal in his criticism. He accused Montealto of failing to address the pressing challenges faced by traditional jeepney drivers and operators in the region. A central allegation was the perceived favoritism shown towards certain corporations and transport groups with modernized fleets.
Perez claimed that over 500 members, including drivers and operators, signed a petition calling for Montealto's ouster. The grievances highlighted the difficult transaction processes for traditional operators at the LTFRB 7 office, which stood in stark contrast to the allegedly smoother dealings for modern PUVs and buses.
Policy Decisions and Commuter Impact
The group traced the issue back to the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. They alleged that Montealto's office showed a clear preference for issuing "provisional authority" and "special permits" to modern vehicles. Piston-Cebu argued that this policy contributed to a shortage of traditional jeepneys on the road, directly leading to commuters being stranded, especially during peak rush hours.
This relief of duty marks a pivotal moment for the region's public transport sector. It addresses a key demand from a major transport union but leaves questions about the future direction of LTFRB 7's policies and its relationship with all stakeholders, from traditional operators to modern fleet owners and the commuting public.
