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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider TNVS drivers, operators ask Ombudsman to suspend head of LTFRB Region 3

TNVS drivers, operators ask Ombudsman to suspend head of LTFRB Region 3

Published Jan 23, 2026 02:52 pm
A group of drivers and operators asked the Office of the Ombudsman to suspend Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 3 Director Richard A. Albano for alleged unlawful restrictions in the release of their slots in the Transport Network Vehicles Services (TNVS) service.
The members of transport group Hail Transport, Inc. told the Ombudsman that the LTFRB board issued Resolution No. 311 on Sept. 25, 2025 that authorized an additional 650 TNVS slots for Region III, with routing stated as "any point in Region III" without limitation, subdivision, or provincial release.
Relying on the resolution, the group said that they purchased vehicles through bank financing, dealer financing, cooperative loans, and even high-interest lending at P700,000 to over P1 million depending on the model of the vehicle and the terms of payment.
It said that its members’ monthly amortizations commonly range from P15,000 to P40,000, excluding insurance premiums, registration costs, parking, routine maintenance, and unexpected repairs.
It also said that while waiting for franchise processing, its members continue to pay monthly amortizations, comprehensive insurance, and registration and documentary fees, among many others.
It lamented that its members fell into a "financial trap" when the LTFRB Region III deviated from its original resolution and instead opened allocation for only 250 TNVS slots.
"The restrictive and piecemeal implementation created artificial scarcity. Scarcity, in turn, creates opportunities for fixing, bribery, and unofficial channels -- exactly what clean governance is supposed to prevent," the group alleged in its complaint.
The group's members lamented: “Because of the restriction, many of our complete applications were not accepted or were not processed in time. We were unable to commence lawful operations as planned. Vehicles sat idle while monthly payments and family needs continued.”
It also alleged that "large amounts" were demanded in exchange for available slots, ranging from P150,000 to P250,000 per slot.
Worse, it claimed that the LTFRB continued accepting and receiving applications from favored Transport Network Companies (TNCs) and applicants even after the 250 slots were filled.
The group’s members told the Ombudsman that the preventive suspension against Albano is "urgent" as the harm made against their livelihood continues to worsen.
"For us, time is not abstract. Each month is an amortization due date; each week is a missed grocery budget; each day is a family's lost income," they lamented.
Director Albano could not be contacted for comment as of posting time. Manila Bulletin will publish his comment on the complaint when it is filed with the Ombudsman.
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