The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has filed a grave misconduct suit against Meycauayan City Mayor Henry Villarica for the alleged illegal collection of pass-through fees from trucks passing through the city.
The case, filed in February 2026, centers on complaints that the city government was imposing unauthorized fees on commercial vehicles transiting through Meycauayan. Pass-through fees are charges levied on trucks and delivery vehicles that merely pass through a local government unit without stopping to conduct business.
ARTA, the government agency tasked with streamlining bureaucratic processes and eliminating red tape, determined that the fees violated existing regulations governing local government taxation and traffic management. The authority has been actively cracking down on similar practices across the country as part of its mandate to improve the ease of doing business in the Philippines.
For Meycauayan, a city that serves as a key logistics corridor in Bulacan due to its proximity to Metro Manila, the case has significant implications. The city is home to numerous industrial zones and commercial establishments that rely on the smooth flow of goods through its roads.
Local business owners and transport groups have expressed mixed reactions to the development. Some welcome the move as a step toward fairer business practices, while others worry about potential disruptions to existing revenue streams for the city.
The case is expected to proceed through the Office of the Ombudsman, where Mayor Villarica will have the opportunity to respond to the charges. Updates on this story will be available at phshirt.com.