LTFRB: Sale of Don Mariano buses still allowed

MANILA - Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Winston Ginez on Wednesday doused fears that Don Mariano Transit Corp., whose franchise has been cancelled following the fatal fall of one of its buses off Skyway, may just sell its buses to its sister companies. Ginez explained that while the bus company is free to do whatever it wants with the units, it still needs the approval of the LTFRB. He also reminded other bus companies planning to buy the units of Don Mariano Transit that they can only be used as replacement for existing vehicles. "On what to do with their (Don Mariano Transit) properties, it will now be their decision. But whatever will be their decision, we will have a say, we will have an approval system," he told ANC's Headstart. "I would like clarify na kung sino man ang bibili nito ay pampalit lang sa kanilang existing units. Hindi ito pwedeng pandagdag because when a franchise is given it has a limit or specific number of authorized units, so it's a risky proposition." Ginez warned the owners of Don Mariano Transit that they will be putting their other bus companies in trouble if they will re-use the bus units of the disgraced bus firm without the board's approval. Meanwhile, the LTFRB is looking into reports that a Don Mariano bus was sighted along North Edsa today, even though the entire fleet's franchise has been revoked. - ANC