The Land Transportation Office on Wednesday lauded the Parañaque City Prosecutor’s Office for the indictment of a van owner as well as his driver for unauthorized (colorum) operation.
LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said the prosecutor’s office has found probable cause to file charges against van owner, Roberto Salvador, and driver, Rocky Cos, for violation of Section 18 in relation to Section 24 of the Commonwealth Act 146 as amended by Republic Act 11659 or the Public Service Act.
He said the duo failed to present any document from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board that the van was allowed to be used as a public utility van.
“This should serve as a strong message that the LTO will really drag you in court in our efforts to put an end to this colorum activity,” he added.
The case stemmed from LTO’s operation on Oct. 23, 2023 on Roxas Boulevard when the van driven by Cos was picking up passengers for Trece Martires City-Parañaque route for P120 each passenger.
The prosecutor’s office backed the LTO’s claim that it was impossible that Salvador was not aware of the illegal operation of the van.
“This legal battle only encourages us in the LTO to continuously conduct aggressive operations against colorum vehicles. This is for the sake of legitimate transport operators and drivers, and this is for the sake of road safety, especially of the commuters,” Mendoza said.