The Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) has urged the Supreme Court (SC) to continue hearing its petition against the government's mandatory jeepney consolidation policy, arguing that the issue remains active and unresolved despite a new Department of Transportation (DOTr) order.

In a nine-page compliance and manifestation submitted to the SC, the transport group said DOTr Department Order No. 2023-022, which outlines the implementation of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), did not render the case moot.

Instead, PISTON said the new order merely replaced earlier issuances while retaining and further institutionalizing the mandatory franchise consolidation requirement being challenged before the high court.

"Far from extinguishing the controversy, the Order deepens and institutionalizes the assailed consolidation requirement," the group said.

PISTON maintained that the central issue remains the constitutionality of compulsory franchise consolidation, which it claims violates drivers' and operators' rights to freedom of association, livelihood, due process, and equal protection.

The group said small operators and drivers are still required to join cooperatives or corporations to continue operating public utility vehicles.

It also argued that the issue is "capable of repetition yet evading review," noting that the government has repeatedly modified or extended consolidation deadlines through new department orders, board resolutions, and memorandum circulars before the courts could fully resolve the issue.

PISTON cited subsequent issuances, including LTFRB Board Resolution No. 53, series of 2024, DOTr Department Order No. 25-009, and Memorandum Circular Nos. 2025-021 and 2026-020, which it said continue to impose consolidation-related requirements.

The transport group further argued that the case involves a matter of paramount public interest, saying jeepneys remain the country's primary mode of public transportation and that the modernization program has already reduced the number of operating jeepneys while affecting the livelihoods of thousands of drivers and operators.

PISTON asked the Supreme Court to take note of its compliance and ultimately declare the questioned DOTr and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board issuances null and void.