Buses in 2010 strike back on the road; MMDA 'helpless'

Less than a week after some of their units were apprehended and impounded, bus firms sanctioned for last year's bus strike are back plying their routes. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the bus firms concerned had appealed their case before the Department of Transportation and Communications. "Some bus firms appealed their case to the DOTC [Department of Transportation and Communications], including Philippine Corinthian bus firm," the MMDA said in its Twitter account. The MMDA's explanation was in response to tweets from netizens who saw bus units of the sanctioned firms plying their routes Wednesday. Philippine Corinthian had its franchise canceled by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for taking part in a bus strike on Nov. 15 last year. Also canceled was the franchise of Jell Transport. "Naka-hold na po yung suspension ng Jell as per LTFRB and DOTC (The suspension on Jell is on hold as per LTFRB and DOTC)," the MMDA said. The cancellation of the franchises – and the suspension of franchises of other bus firms – stemmed from the strike meant to oppose the number-coding scheme for buses. Only last week, the MMDA said it managed to impound some 90 buses after MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino ordered it to crack down on the sanctioned units. — KG/LBG, GMA News