The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued a show cause order (SCO) on Monday morning against a franchise applicant operating a public utility vehicle (PUV) despite a pending application.

The case prompted LTFRB Chairperson Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II to issue a warning to applicants seeking to employ the same practice of using their vehicles for public transportation before the approval and release of the necessary paperwork.

“Just because you submitted the documents required for Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) does not mean that you can already use the vehicle for public transportation,” stressed Mendoza. “Common sense dictates that you still have to wait for approval and release of the necessary permits.”

According to the agency’s report, the applicant was not only picking up passengers along the Alabang–Imus route without a permit, but also illegally modified a delivery van to be used as a PUV.

Under the SCO, the applicant was asked to submit a written explanation of why the application should not be canceled and to present themselves on February 18 for the initial case hearing.

Despite his stern message, Mendoza emphasized that the department will still follow due process to better understand the situation and hear the side of the driver.

He also assured the public that the LTFRB is keen on abiding by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s orders to enforce road safety rules and regulations, especially regarding the country’s public transportation network.

“While we understand the concerns of our ‘kababayan’ to earn money, this should not be done at the expense of violating the law,” he explained.

Mendoza likened the use of vehicles for public transportation with a pending application to colorum and stood firm that the act is illegal under the law.