THE Cebu City Council asked the City Legal Office to determine if Mayor Tomas Osmeña is allowed to file a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) asking the latter to lift the temporary restraining order (TRO) on the operation of the ride-hailing application Angkas.
The Council decided to do so after Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr. proposed a resolution seeking to authorize Osmeña to file the petition before the SC in behalf of the City Government.
In his proposed resolution, Gabuya said that the TRO has put the livelihood of around 6,500 habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) drivers at risk.
Gabuya said the restraining order deprived the commuters, particularly those from the mountain barangays, of their only means of transportation.
“The city mayor, as chief executive of the City Government, is empowered by the Local Government Code of 1991 to exercise such powers and perform such functions as may be deemed necessary for efficient, effective and economical governance the purpose of which is the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants such as to enhance economic prosperity and social justice and to promote full employment among residents,” the proposed resolution read.
Osmeña earlier said that he wants to file the petition before the high court to represent the riding public and help the habal-habal drivers.
In a recent ruling, the SC allowed authorities to apprehend habal-habal drivers including those registered with Angkas. (RVC)