Party-list Group Proposes P1M Penalty Vs ‘Colorum’ Vehicles

The top official of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Central Visayas strongly support the bill sponsored by a partylist representative increasing the penalty against the operators of ‘colorum’ or illegally operated vehicles.

The existing penalty in every apprehension of a colorum public utility vehicle is only P5,000 which is considered very cheap by ANGKLA Partylist Representative Jesulito Manalo who proposed that the fine be increased up to P1 million.

Manalo even proposed that aside from the fine, the operator of the colorum vehicle be also meted jail terms and the concerned units be confiscated in favor of the government.

“One of the patent causes of road tragedies is the unabated and blatant operation of colorum or unauthorized public motor vehicles, which are considered as menaces that further clog our roads,” Manalo said.

LTFRB-7 Regional Director Ahmed Cuizon said he supports for the passage of the bill.

Manalo proposed Bill 4086, or the “Anti-Colorum Act”, and said that once it will be enacted into law, the owner and operator of a colorum vehicle shall be meted out the penalty of imprisonment of prision correccional or six months and one day to six years in its maximum period or a fine, or both, subject to the discretion of the court.

Manalo also proposed that P1 million fine be slapped against the operators of colorum buses, P200,000 for Utility van units, P125,000 for taxis, and P50, 000 for passenger jeepney or PUJ’s.

The bill also provides that the driver’s license of the person caught driving the colorum vehicle, whether he is the owner or operator or just a mere driver, shall be immediately confiscated and suspended for a period of one year for the first offense and perpetually revoked for the second offense.

Manalo explained that perpetual revocation of the license would mean that the apprehended person shall no longer be granted any type of driver’s license.

Aside from that, the apprehended colorum vehicle shall also be permanently confiscated by the Land Transportatioin Franchising and Regulatory Board and all permits, franchises, or Certificates of Public Convenience issued in favor of the owner and/or operator of a public utility vehicle used and operated as a colorum, including those that pertain to other PUV’s even not used and operated as colorum, shall be revoked.

Manalo said the owner or operator of the colorum vehicle shall also be perpetually disqualified from applying and operating any kind of public land transportation.

The concern of Manalo is that the passengers of the colorum vehicles is not insured because the insurance company would not pay them if in case the vehicle would meet an accident.

The bill is still being reviewed by the members of the House Committee on Transportation.