PISTON asks SC to act on TRO bid vs PUVMP

Jeepney drivers and operators belonging to the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) hold a picket protest in front of the Supreme Court on Padre Faura Street in Manila to call for the immediate release of a temporary restraining order against the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The group fears that the implementation of PUVMP will disenfranchise many drivers and operators. DANNY PATA

Jeepney drivers and operators on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to act on their petition for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

Protesting before the High Court, Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) Deputy Secretary Ruben “Bong” Baylon said they are still hopeful that the High Court will issue the TRO.

“Umaasa kami dahil naniniwala kami na mahuhusay ang mga kinatawan na mga justice na itinalaga diyan. Umaasa pa rin kami na mag bababa sila ng TRO panig sa mga mamamayan,” Baylon said in an ambush interview.

(We are optimistic because we believe that the justices are brilliant. We are hoping that they will issue a TRO in favor of the citizens.)

In December 2023, PISTON and other transport groups asked the SC to declare null and void several issuances of government transportation agencies and issue a TRO to prevent the respondents from enforcing the said issuances.

Last week, the SC said that the petitions of PISTON are still under deliberation.

The court has asked the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to comment on pending petitions.

Baylon also said that if they are not granted a TRO they would still continue to operate.

“Kahit dumating po ang April 30, bya-byahe pa rin po yung mga operator na naninindigan para sa kanilang karapatan,” he added.

(Even if the April 30 deadline passes, we will still continue to operate and continue to fight for our rights.)

Under the program, jeepney drivers and operators are required to join or form cooperatives. They may also apply for new franchises but as part of transport cooperatives.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. previously said that there would be no more extension of the application for consolidation, setting the deadline on April 30.

Elmer Cordero, a member of “PISTON 6,” also said he would continue to fight for his rights.

“Ako kung sa bagay matanda na ko, gusto ko bago ko mamatay, makita ko kalagayan ng mga kabataan na maayos ang kalagayan nila,” Cordero said.

(I am already old. I want to see our younger generation in a better position before I die.)

“Kaya ako tuloy patuloy ako ang paglalabang ko, ang karapatan ng mamayan, mga Pilipino, hanggat ako’y nabubuhay, paglaban ko ang sarili ko,” he added.

(That’s why I will continue to fight for our rights, for the Filipino, and myself while I am still alive.)

A Caloocan court recently acquitted Baylon, Cordero, Severino Ramos, Wilson Ramilla, Ramon Paloma, and Arsenio Ymas for charges of simple resistance and disobedience.

They were arrested in 2020 after protesting against the prohibition against jeepneys plying their routes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. —VAL, GMA Integrated News

This article PISTON asks SC to act on TRO bid vs PUVMP was originally published in GMA News Online.