Manila, March 31 -- Malacanang on Monday said it may not be possible to suspend the scheduled fare hike for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) as the government is obligated to honor its contract with the railway's operator.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the fare increase was stipulated in a long-standing agreement, which the government is required to follow.

"Gustuhin po natin man 'no, gustuhin po ng administrasyon na ito po ay hindi muna maituloy pero iyan po kasi ang nakasaad sa kontrata (We would have wanted to delay this, but I'm afraid that's what the contract states)," Castro said.

Castro explained that the fare hike was originally planned m...