Sen. Grace Poe Calls for Pause in PUV Modernization Amid LTFRB Corruption Issues

Senator Grace Poe has urged the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to temporarily halt the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) amidst issues of corruption within the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Poe emphasized her desire for modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) but stressed that progress should be transparent, fair, and beneficial to the public. This comes in the wake of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.’s suspension of LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III due to alleged irregularities in the issuance of franchises for PUVs and other transactions within his office.

As the chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, Poe stated that the DOTr should temporarily halt the implementation of the PUV modernization program until all issues within the LTFRB are resolved. This move aims to address the reported corruption and irregularities and ensure that the modernization program aligns with the principles of good governance.