DOTr, LTFRB Saddened Over RTC Ruling vs Angkas, Vows to Fight Back

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) expressed their disappointment over the ruling of the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court that granted the preliminary injunction of motorcycle ride-hailing service Angkas.

However, both agencies said that they will continue to fight back in the legal battle against Angkas.

In a joint statement, the two agencies expressed their sadness over the RTC ruling that barred the governing body from interfering with the operations of the Angkas app service.

The two government bodies said that as a regulator, they are "being faithful to its mandate when it ordered Angkas to cease operations."

"Our position is that motorcycles registered in the service are not authorized to conduct business and offer public transport under Republic Act 4136. For them to be allowed, the law has to be amended by Congress," the agencies said in the statement.

They also said that aside from "engaging in unfair business practice, the safety of patrons and commuters are also put at risk, as motorcycles are not considered as a safe mode of public transport."

"If Angkas is to continue accrediting motorcycles registered as private vehicles to book rides and accept passengers for a fee, it is considered as without authority from the government regulators, and, therefore, are considered colorum vehicles," the statement explained.

Further, the DOTr and LTFRB vowed to exhaust all legal remedies to ensure that our roads are cleared of colorum vehicles, such as Angkas motorcycles.

"Safety is our priority. Following our laws is our priority. Obviously, Angkas is just interested in making profit, and profit, alone," the statement concluded.