THE Supreme Court lifted Thursday its temporary restraining order (TRO) that stopped the implementation on the toll hike in the three expressways.

In the 75-page ruling penned by Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco, it said the toll increase was in accordance to the Philippine Constitution.

The rate hike ranged from 250 percent to 300 percent to North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), South Metro Manila Skyway Project (Skyway), and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx).

The three expressways connect the country's economic and political capital to the southern and northern provinces.

It was recalled that several lawmakers wanted the deferment of the toll hike, seeking the intervention of the Supreme Court wherein it issued a TRO on August 13, 2010. (Sunnex)