More bad news for drivers and operators of colorum vehicles.

The Land Transportation Office announced it will no longer release colorum vehicles despite payment of fines by the registered owner unless there is a court order.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II said transport groups have been complaining that they are losing 30% of their income daily due to the operation of colorum vehicles.  

“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,” 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,” he added.

A colorum is a private vehicle that is acting like a public utility vehicle (PUV), usually for the purpose of earning money, without complying with legal requirements. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is in charge of the permits for motor vehicles that would be used as PUVs.

 “Masyado nang matagal at malalim ang problema sa iligal na operasyon ng colorum vehicles sa ating bansa. 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,” the LTO chief said. 

In a memorandum issued to all Regional Directors, District Office heads and chiefs of LTO units, Mendoza said criminal cases must be immediately filed in every successful anti-colorum operation.  

“This is the responsibility of the apprehending officers, heads of LES/RLES (Law Enforcement Service/Regional Law Enforcement Service), and heads of office. Failure to do so shall be subject to administrative liability,” he said.

“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. Releasing the vehicle is tantamount to Infidelity in the Custody of Evidence,” he added.  

While colorum vehicles are usually found in remote areas and the provinces, reports revealed that the number of colorum vehicles in Metro Manila and nearby areas have increased in the past.  

Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista has also directed the LTO to intensify the operation against colorum vehicles based on the complaints and request for assistance by transport groups.