The current Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, assumed his post in July 2023. Since then, together with other transport groups, he has launched an aggressive stance against colorum operations in the country.
The anti-colorum efforts have resulted in the arrest of hundreds of operators and drivers, along with the impoundment of vehicles. Recently, the LTO has decided to add “more teeth” to its fight, announcing that impounded colorum vehicles would not be released, even if fines were paid by their registered owners.
Image Credit: LTO Tagkawayan / Facebook
“No Release” for Impounded Vehicles in Anti-Colorum Operations
According to Asst. Sec. Mendoza, the only way that an impounded vehicle may be released is through a court order, an LTO press release reported on Tuesday, 11 June 2024.
“Masyado nang matagal at malalim ang problema sa iligal na operasyon ng colorum vehicles sa ating bansa (The problem regarding illegal operations of colorum vehicles in our country has gone on for too long),” the LTO Chief stated.
“Kailangan na nating magpatupad ng mas mabigat na kaparusahan tungkol dito upang maipakita sa mga taong patuloy na nilalabag ang batas na seryoso ang ating pamahalaan upang tapusin ang modus nila (We need to impose stricter punishment to show those who are breaking the law, to show that our government is serious in ending their modus),” he added.
Moreover, transport groups have already been complaining that they are losing 30 percent of their income everyday, because of the operation of colorum vehicles.
What are Colorum Vehicles?
Basically, a colorum vehicle is a private vehicle that is being used as a public utility vehicle (PUV) for the purpose of earning money. However, it is not registered as a PUV, and is therefore not adhering to legal requirements. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is the agency in charge of issuing permits to vehicles that would serve as PUVs.
Usually, colorum vehicles are found in the provinces and remote areas of the country. Recently, however, more and more colorum vehicles have been discovered in Metro Manila and nearby areas.
Colorum Equals to Committing a Crime
“Simple lang po ito: May mga regulasyon patungkol sa operation ng public utility vehicles. Kung hindi po ito sinunod, maliwanag na iligal po ang operasyon nito and this is equivalent to committing a crime. Kaya may karampatang parusa at multa dito (It’s simple: There are regulations for operating public utility vehicles. If these are not followed, an operation is illegal and equivalent to a crime. There are penalties and fines for this),” Asst. Sec. Mendoza said.
“At kasama sa parusa dito ay ang pagpapatupad natin ng no release policy for all vehicles that would be impounded in anti-colorum operations (Included in these penalties is the no release policy for all vehicles impounded in anti-colorum operations),” he added.
Cases Must be Filed Immediately
Through a memo issued to all Regional Directors, District Office heads and chiefs of LTO units, Asst. Sec. Mendoza stressed that after every anti-colorum operation, criminal cases must be filed immediately.
“This is the responsibility of the apprehending officers, heads of LES/RLES [Law Enforcement Service/Regional Law Enforcement Service], and heads of office,” he explained. “Failure to do so shall be subject to administrative liability.”
“Pending the criminal case, the unit should not be released without a court order as the vehicle is part of the evidence of the crime,” the LTO Chief added. “Releasing the vehicle is tantamount to Infidelity in the Custody of Evidence.”
For his part, after learning about the complaints and requests for assistance by transport groups, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista has also directed the LTO to intensify operations against colorum vehicles.
Final Thoughts
For commuters who often use “colorum” vehicles, keep in mind that while these vehicles may seem “fast” and “comfortable” — they are not duly registered and are operating against the country’s laws.
For your own safety, use only vehicles that are registered as PUVs by the LTFRB. Furthermore, be sure to know this list of driving fines and violations by the LTO.