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Court acquits PISTON leader vs LTFRB charge

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The Metropolitan Trial Court of Quezon City (MTC-QC) acquitted a transport leader against charges filed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in 2017.

Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) president emeritus George San Mateo said MTC-QC Branch 43 acquitted him of the charges filed by the transport agency in connection with his role in the nationwide transport strikes opposing the LTFRB’s so-called jeepney modernization program.

“According to the court, I am acquitted of the charge against me by the LTFRB of allegedly violating the Public Service Act (Commonwealth Act No 146) when I was PISTON president,” San Mateo said.

MTC-QC Branch 43 conducted an open court promulgation of his case that he watched online, San Mateo said.

Then PISTON president, San Mateo led nationwide strikes against the so called jeepney modernization scheme in February and October of 2017 which the LTFRB said is disallowed and may lead to cancellations of permits to operate.

San Mateo said the court’s decision has validated their stand that the jeepney drivers’ right to hold strikes is more important than LTFRB’s threats.

“This should be considered a victory for the right of PUV drivers, small operators and the people to peaceably and militantly assemble to air their legitimate grievances and aspirations,” San Mateo said.

San Mateo called on both drivers and passengers to carry on the fight against the phase out of jeepneys and the “business of fake public utility vehicle modernization by the Duterte, Department of Transportation and LTFRB regimes.”

The decision was released two years to the day when San Mateo was arrested and allowed to post bail. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

No strike today: Piston condemns Palace suspension of classes

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Jeepney drivers and operators condemned Malacañan Palace’s suspension of classes Tuesday based merely on “slightest threat of a [jeepney] strike.”

In a statement, Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) chairperson George San Mateo said there is no truth to Malacañan’s announcement the group planned to have more jeepney strikes after Monday.

“As Piston announced last March 14, the transport strike was scheduled only for Monday (March 19),” San Mateo said.

“Piston forcefully condemns Malacañan’s announcement based on a false information aimed at confusing the people. This is the [Rodrigo] Duterte’s way of trying to undermine the drivers and operators’ call against the jeepney phaseout,” he added.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announcement Tuesday morning the suspension of classes following instructions from Duterte.

“The President has instructed that he will suspend classes even with the slightest threat of a strike to ensure the protection and well-being of students,” Roque said.

Roque made a similar announcement Monday, saying the Palace will call for a class suspension in Metro Manila Tuesday until Friday “if and when Piston pushes through with its threat to continue its nationwide strike.”

Piston and San Mateo said Roque’s claim is “fake news.”

Piston clarified Monday night there will be no more transport strikes this week.

“The strike was only for one day today, March 19. It is only Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque who is coming out with the fake news there may be a strike tomorrow (Tuesday),” the group said.

Piston said it is impossible for Malacañan not to know there are no extensions after full coverage by media and government intelligence agents of Monday’s strike.

Piston opposes the Duterte government’s plan to immediately replace the iconic jeepneys with expensive vehicles

The group added they are for modernization of public mass transport in the country, but not at the expense of millions of families who depend on the jeepney for their livelihood and affordable mode of transport. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Pambansang Kilos-Protesta, Ikinasa ng mga Tsuper

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  • Mendiola, Manila
    March 24, 2015

    Idinaos ngayong araw ang pambansang kilos-protesta ng mga tsuper na pinangunahan ng Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide o PISTON. Sinabi ni George San Mateo, pambansang tagapangulo ng PISTON, sisingilin at ipapanawagan nila ang pagbibitiw sa pwesto ni Pangulong Aquino dahil sa bigat ng mga kasalanan at pahirap na pinataw nito sa mga drayber at mamamayan sa limang taong panunungkulan nito.

    Ayon kay San Mateo, isasagawa nila sa Metro Manila ang malaking transport caravan protest mula NHA Central Office sa Quezon City Circle patungong Mendiola.

    Ayon pa kay San Mateo, lalong tumindi sa ilalim ni Aquino ang hirap na dinanas ng mga drayber at operators. Kabilang dito ang patuloy na overpricing sa produktong petrolyo na puminsala sa kabuhayan ng mga drayber at mamamayan dahil sa pagtanggi ni Aquino na ibasura ang Oil Deregulation Law, ang 12% VAT sa langis at sa patuloy na pagtanggi ni PNOY na ipatupad ang regulasyon at nasyunalisasyon sa industriya ng langis sa Pilipinas.