Commuters, A Nationwide Transport Strike Is Happening Starting October 16
In response to LTFRB's alleged corruption.
(SPOT.ph) Heads up, commuters: Transport group MANIBELA will be holding another nationwide transport strike starting October 16, which means much less mobility options in the coming week.
Over 240,000 traditional jeepneys are expected to join the strike as reported by Inquirer. How long it will last is still up in the air, according to MANIBELA Chairman Mar Valbuena.
MANIBELA's strike calls for the government to take action on the alleged corruption within the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), which is said to include other officials from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) all the way up to the Malacañang Palace.
The information was revealed by Jeffrey Tumbado, the former executive assistant of LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III, in MANIBELA's press conference on October 9. The “Lagayan Scheme” is said to cost over P5 billion, which involves routes and special permits for sale in the PUV Modernization Program—all with Guadiz’s approval, according to Tumbado.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has since ordered the suspension of Guadiz.
Also read: Bongbong Marcos on Fighting Corruption: Leaders Set the Example
MANIBELA to conduct nationwide transport strike from October 16 onwards
If the nationwide transport strike pushes through on October 16, this will be the third transport strike this 2023. The first one was held in March to condemn the PUV Modernization Program, while the second one was held in July for the government failing to solve the woes of the transport sector.
“Tigil pasada at mga strike ang mangyayari po sa mga susunod na linggo. Sa susunod na Lunes ikakasa namin ang mas malaki [na strike], maging sa mga regional offices ng LTFRB. Isasama po namin ito, lahat ng sasakyan namin…jeepney, lalo na rito sa NCR itatambak na namin sa harap ng Malacañang,” Valbuena was quoted as saying in MANIBELA’s press conference.
On Facebook, MANIBELA has called on Guadiz and DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista to resign.
MANIBELA also said in a statement they would be filing a case under Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act) and Republic Act 11032 (Ease of Doing Business Act) at the Office of the Ombudsman within the week.
DOTr responds to LTFRB's allegations of corruption
In light of this revelation, Bautista has since launched a formal investigation on LTFRB, with Guadiz issued a notice to explain his alleged corruption in the PUV Modernization Program.
“We already launched an investigation on the allegations against the LTFRB. While we are already evaluating the alleged irregularities involving [Chairman Guadiz], we also issued a notice to explain against Guadiz for him to shed light on the allegations,” Bautista said in a statement.
“We do not tolerate any form of corruption in the DOTr and will not hesitate to impose the stiffest sanction if the evidence so warrants."