Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday, June 14 said only a temporary restraining order (TRO) can stop the toll rate increase on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). But it is also possible for the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to be morally persuaded to defer the plan. “For now the only way to stop it is thru a TRO. But the TRB can also defer the increase pending itong comment ng legislators and the riding public so pwede pa nilang i-defer (So they can still defer),” Gatchalian said in an interview with Senate reporters. In joining other senators in calling on the TRB to defer increasing the toll rates on NLEX, Gatchalian said it is necessary for them to first address the issues hounding the expressway. “Ang sinasabi natin tignan ang ibang isyu tulad ng trapik, tulad ng service (What we are saying is that they should also look at the other issues hounding it, like traffic and service),” he said. “Yes, in an absence of a TRO, we can do moral suasion to defer it,” he added. Gatchalian, who hails from Valenzuela City, said he frequently use the road almost everyday. “Unlike the Skyway na walang problema, ang NLEX admittedly may problema. Remember nagkaroon na yan ng hearing at sinabi namin sa (Unlike the Skyway which has no problem, NLEX admittedly has a problem. Remember we already had a hearing on it and we have told the) TRB to come up with performance evaluation,” he recalled. “Hindi lang kailangan magtaas dahil may inflation. Yun kasi ang parating reason, yung foreign exchange at yung inflation (But you don’t need to increase it because of inflation. That has always been used as an excuse—foreign exchange and inflation),” he pointed out. “But that’s not the only reason, service and performance also is a reason,” he stressed. The toll rate increase on NLEX, which will start at P7 depending on the type of vehicle and distance, will take effect on June 15.