LTFRB to file new charges vs transport leader

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced yesterday that the agency will file new criminal charges against transport leader George San Mateo just as his group readied another caravan to protest major policies of the administration.

LTFRB member Aileen Lizada said they are set to file the case this week over a transport strike staged by the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), of which San Mateo is president.

Lizada said San Mateo would be charged over the two-day strikes led by PISTON last June 5 and 6 and Oct. 17 and 18, for violation of Section 20 of Commonwealth Act 146 or the Public Service Act. 

She said that their announcement happened to coincide with PISTON’s protest caravan today but charges were being drawn up for some time now. 

San Mateo has pleaded not guilty to violating the Public Service Act during his arraignment before the Quezon City Metropolitan Court last month. 

PISTON members yesterday trooped from the Welcome Rotonda to the Don Chino Roces Bridge (Mendiola) in Manila to protest the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law. 

They are also opposing the ongoing Tanggal Bulok Tanggal Usok (TBTU) campaign of the government, which so far has netted more than 1,500 old jeepney units. 

Lizada said they have assisted more than 700 commuters stranded due to the rally, despite PISTON’s announcement that this was not a transport strike.

San Mateo said that the administration’s TBTU campaign should be blamed for the increasing number of stranded passengers, which he said is reaching the thousands.