BRIEFER: Risks of Using Colorum Vehicles for Public Transportation
February 13, 2026
The use of colorum vehicles for public transportation in the Philippines is a common but risky practice due to the uncertainty of legal liability and insurance coverage for passengers.
Colorum vehicles refer to private vehicles that operate as public transportation vehicles without proper authorization or franchise requirements, typically in the form of vans, jeepneys, private cars, and motorcycle taxis known as “habal-habal.” The operation of colorum vehicles is illegal under Philippine law, with apprehended operators and drivers facing fines, penalties, and impounding of their vehicle for at least three months. Despite this, colorum vehicles are prevalent in many parts of the Philippines, including Metro Manila, due to difficulties in licensing requirements and the high volume of commuters at any given time.
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