The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board logo and its office in Quezon City. FILE IMAGE
MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Sunday said it asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for an election ban exemption for fuel subsidy, “Libreng Sakay” for the Edsa (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue) busway and other programs of the agency.
The LTFRB said that its acting chairperson, Greg Pua, submitted a letter to the Comelec on September 15 explaining that the programs the agency sought exemption from were intended to cater to the public transportation needs of commuters.
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The LTFRB said that aside from the service contracting program, the “Libreng Sakay” or free ride program on the Edsa busway and Love Bus, it also asked to exempt the P12 per liter fuel subsidy and the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).
The LTFRB is currently processing the three-month release of the monthly subsidy for qualified participants under the PTMP.
“The subject programs are continuing government programs and are not election-related or partisan activities. They are implemented pursuant to existing laws, appropriations, policies, and program guidelines,” Pua said in a letter addressed to Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia.
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Pua added that the LTFRB would ensure that the implementation of the programs will comply with objective eligibility requirements, proper documentation, validation, accounting and auditing rules and other safeguards prescribed by Comelec “with no participation or involvement of candidates or political parties.”
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In line with the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections scheduled on November 2, 2026, Comelec prohibited the release, disbursement, and spending of public funds without approval from the poll body from September 18, 2026 to November 1, 2026.
Last Friday, the LTFRB announced that it is suspending the P12 per liter fuel subsidy program starting September 18 in line with the election ban.
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The agency clarified to the Inquirer that the suspension of the program will remain in effect, pending its request for exemption from the Comelec. /gsg
