DOTr, I-ACT Anti-Colorum Ops on Election Day Yields Dozens of Violators

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In support of Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections (HOPE), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (i-ACT) conducted anti-colorum operations in strategic points in Metro Manila during the Barangay Elections held yesterday, May 14.

A total of 91 Temporary Operators Permit (TOPs) and Ordinance Violation Receipts (OVRs) were issued to various public and private vehicles.

Meanwhile, five (5) jeepneys and one (1) UV express were also apprehended for out of line operations.

In the City of Manila, an enforcer from the Manila Traffic Parking Bureau (MTPB) tried to get in the way while a jeepney driver was being apprehended by i-ACT enforcers. 

The efforts of the unnamed MTPB personnel though, turned futile as the instructions from Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Tim Orbos was to apprehend all violators regardless of their "padrinos".

"Wag pagbibigyan iyang mga iyan. Walang arbor-arbor dito. Magkakapahiyaan lang tayo pag pinilit ninyo," said Usec. Orbos.

Jeepneys bearing the signage of COMELEC were also flagged down as these were not authorized by the commission and as such, they will be meted with appropriate charges.

Days prior to the Barangay and SK Elections, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns Eymard Eje, upon the instruction of Secretary Arthur Tugade, issued a memorandum which is aimed at filing appropriate fines and charges against operators and drivers of PUV's who will defeat the conduct of peaceful and orderly elections.

As observed in the conduct of operations, out of Line (colorum) PUV's were used to transport voters, some are believed to be flying voters.

These PUVs were being paid in as much as P1,000 to service voters of certain candidates.

“Ang mandato natin nakatuon sa panghuhuli ng mga colorum na pampublikong sasakyan na ginagamit ng mga pulitiko na panghakot sa mga botante tuwing eleksyon. Kung flying voter man o hindi ang pasahero nila, sabit sila kapag colorum o out of line ang biyahe nila,” Eje said.

Under the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 2014-01, violators may be fined from PhP6,000 to PhP1,000,000 (depending on the type of vehicle) with a minimum impounding period of three (3) months and a possible blacklisting and/or revocation of the Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC).