Transport group mounts strike as gov't sees destabilization move | ABS-CBN
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Transport group mounts strike as gov't sees destabilization move
Transport group mounts strike as gov't sees destabilization move
ABS-CBN News
Published Oct 16, 2017 09:20 AM PHT
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Updated Oct 16, 2017 10:34 AM PHT
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MANILA - (UPDATED) Jeepney operators and drivers went on strike on Monday as the country's transport regulator said it could be part of a "destabilization" plot against the government.
MANILA - (UPDATED) Jeepney operators and drivers went on strike on Monday as the country's transport regulator said it could be part of a "destabilization" plot against the government.
Classes and work in government offices were suspended while financial markets were shut because of the 2-day strike. Transport group PISTON is protesting the government's modernization program, which it said could mean the phaseout of jeepneys.
Classes and work in government offices were suspended while financial markets were shut because of the 2-day strike. Transport group PISTON is protesting the government's modernization program, which it said could mean the phaseout of jeepneys.
Traffic slowed down in Monumento, Caloocan where protesters gathered on Monday morning, video from ANC showed.
Traffic slowed down in Monumento, Caloocan where protesters gathered on Monday morning, video from ANC showed.
Transport group Piston continues their protest. They are occupying a portion of a lane in Monumento Rotunda. | via @kev_manalo pic.twitter.com/b32AFSsnmn
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) October 16, 2017
Transport group Piston continues their protest. They are occupying a portion of a lane in Monumento Rotunda. | via @kev_manalo pic.twitter.com/b32AFSsnmn
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) October 16, 2017
In Manila, demonstrators lay down at the corner of España and Vicente Cruz streets as part of the protest.
In Manila, demonstrators lay down at the corner of España and Vicente Cruz streets as part of the protest.
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Mga nagpoprtesta sa jeepney modernization program, humiga sa kalsada sa kanto ng España at Vicente Cruz St., Sampaloc, Maynila |@Dennis_Datu pic.twitter.com/GM6U26cO6H
— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) October 16, 2017
Mga nagpoprtesta sa jeepney modernization program, humiga sa kalsada sa kanto ng España at Vicente Cruz St., Sampaloc, Maynila |@Dennis_Datu pic.twitter.com/GM6U26cO6H
— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) October 16, 2017
Many of those joining the protest are from the left-leaning Kilusang Mayo Uno and Gabriela, not transport stakeholders, said Aileen Lizada, spokesperson of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
"Karamihan sa kanila ay mga labor sector. Hindi po iyan mga tsuper, hindi po iyan mga operator... Ito po ay more on the left-leaning side na iba ho ang agenda," Lizada told DZMM.
Many of those joining the protest are from the left-leaning Kilusang Mayo Uno and Gabriela, not transport stakeholders, said Aileen Lizada, spokesperson of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
"Karamihan sa kanila ay mga labor sector. Hindi po iyan mga tsuper, hindi po iyan mga operator... Ito po ay more on the left-leaning side na iba ho ang agenda," Lizada told DZMM.
(Many of those are from the labor sector. They're not drivers. They're not operators... These are more from the left-leaning side who have a different agenda.)
(Many of those are from the labor sector. They're not drivers. They're not operators... These are more from the left-leaning side who have a different agenda.)
Kilusang Mayo Uno, iba pang people's organizations, nagsasagawa ng protesta sa Momunento bilang pagsuporta sa tigil-pasada ng PISTON pic.twitter.com/nbePgJkBsA | via @joycebalancio
— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) October 16, 2017
Kilusang Mayo Uno, iba pang people's organizations, nagsasagawa ng protesta sa Momunento bilang pagsuporta sa tigil-pasada ng PISTON pic.twitter.com/nbePgJkBsA | via @joycebalancio
— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) October 16, 2017
Lizada also alleged that an organizer of the strike recently likened the modernization program to government policies that heralded the declaration of martial law under President Ferdinand Marcos.
Lizada also alleged that an organizer of the strike recently likened the modernization program to government policies that heralded the declaration of martial law under President Ferdinand Marcos.
"Sinabi po ng isang transport leader and I quote, 'Ang nangyayari ay parang September 1972, bago mag-martial law'... Kung modernization program lang ang ino-oppose nila, bakit pati martial law sinasabi nila?" she said.
"Sinabi po ng isang transport leader and I quote, 'Ang nangyayari ay parang September 1972, bago mag-martial law'... Kung modernization program lang ang ino-oppose nila, bakit pati martial law sinasabi nila?" she said.
(One transport leader said, and I quote, What is happening is like September 1972, before martial law... If they are opposing just the modernization program, why raise martial law?)
"Really, they are trying to infuse in a very subtle way, which can cause confusion and result to destabilization."
(One transport leader said, and I quote, What is happening is like September 1972, before martial law... If they are opposing just the modernization program, why raise martial law?)
"Really, they are trying to infuse in a very subtle way, which can cause confusion and result to destabilization."
PISTON president George San Mateo said labor groups were only "supporting" the drivers and operators leading the 2-day strike.
PISTON president George San Mateo said labor groups were only "supporting" the drivers and operators leading the 2-day strike.
San Mateo said PISTON took to the streets out of fear that they would lose their livelihood as they would not be able afford the new expensive jeepneys.
San Mateo said PISTON took to the streets out of fear that they would lose their livelihood as they would not be able afford the new expensive jeepneys.
He urged the government to postpone the modernization program until it finds a "nationalized, efficient and affordable" framework.
He urged the government to postpone the modernization program until it finds a "nationalized, efficient and affordable" framework.
Finance officials have allocated a P2.2 billion subsidy for public utility vehicle modernization program, the LTFRB earlier said.
Finance officials have allocated a P2.2 billion subsidy for public utility vehicle modernization program, the LTFRB earlier said.
The government has also designated pick-up points for commuters that may be affected by PISTON's protest.
The government has also designated pick-up points for commuters that may be affected by PISTON's protest.
4 special trip buses ng LTFRB, nakapwesto na sa Luneta Grandstand kasunod ng malawakang tigil-pasada ng PISTON | via @LyzaAquinoDZMM pic.twitter.com/C26toc3PIN
— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) October 15, 2017
4 special trip buses ng LTFRB, nakapwesto na sa Luneta Grandstand kasunod ng malawakang tigil-pasada ng PISTON | via @LyzaAquinoDZMM pic.twitter.com/C26toc3PIN
— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) October 15, 2017
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Carpio warns public against voting for ‘pro-China’ candidates
Carpio warns public against voting for ‘pro-China’ candidates
MANILA – Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has urged the public to be wary in voting for “pro-China” candidates in this year’s elections, saying these candidates would rather push for the Beijing's interests if elected into office.
MANILA – Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has urged the public to be wary in voting for “pro-China” candidates in this year’s elections, saying these candidates would rather push for the Beijing's interests if elected into office.
Carpio, without naming persons, said that these candidates have China’s financial backing.
Carpio, without naming persons, said that these candidates have China’s financial backing.
China, he said, might also be fueling disinformation online to further divide the public.
China, he said, might also be fueling disinformation online to further divide the public.
“This election is not purely about internal politics, about internal matters, because there is a country that wants to grab our maritime zones and island territories. So, we should be careful not to vote for Manchurian candidates, candidates who will do China's bidding,” Carpio said in a statement released by Stratbase ADR Institute.
“This election is not purely about internal politics, about internal matters, because there is a country that wants to grab our maritime zones and island territories. So, we should be careful not to vote for Manchurian candidates, candidates who will do China's bidding,” Carpio said in a statement released by Stratbase ADR Institute.
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“They can come out with their own social media campaign,” the former SC magistrate said.
“They can come out with their own social media campaign,” the former SC magistrate said.
“As we have seen in the past, recent past, that there have been candidates, who, when they won, were favoring China against our national interest,” he added
“As we have seen in the past, recent past, that there have been candidates, who, when they won, were favoring China against our national interest,” he added
Carpio also said the West Philippine Sea could be at stake if pro-China candidates would win in this year’s polls.
Carpio also said the West Philippine Sea could be at stake if pro-China candidates would win in this year’s polls.
“Those who are pro-China, they [China] can give campaign funds to. That's usually what other countries do if they want to destabilize a certain state. I expect China to do that... Once elected, they will say, the Philippines has no right to name the West Philippine Sea as West Philippine Sea,” according to Carpio.
“Those who are pro-China, they [China] can give campaign funds to. That's usually what other countries do if they want to destabilize a certain state. I expect China to do that... Once elected, they will say, the Philippines has no right to name the West Philippine Sea as West Philippine Sea,” according to Carpio.
For his part, Dindo Manhit, president of the Stratbase ADR Institute, cautioned voters from patronizing candidates who downplay the 2016 The Hague ruling on the West Philippine Sea.
For his part, Dindo Manhit, president of the Stratbase ADR Institute, cautioned voters from patronizing candidates who downplay the 2016 The Hague ruling on the West Philippine Sea.
“Upholding our arbitral victory is not just a matter of policy but a fundamental duty of any leader who claims to serve the nation. Ignoring it means turning a blind eye to our territorial integrity,” said Manhit.
“Upholding our arbitral victory is not just a matter of policy but a fundamental duty of any leader who claims to serve the nation. Ignoring it means turning a blind eye to our territorial integrity,” said Manhit.
“Vote for leaders who are patriotic and will fight for the Philippines. A true leader must stand firm in defending what is rightfully ours and not succumb to foreign pressure. The West Philippine Sea is a vital part of our national identity, economy, and security,” he said.
“Vote for leaders who are patriotic and will fight for the Philippines. A true leader must stand firm in defending what is rightfully ours and not succumb to foreign pressure. The West Philippine Sea is a vital part of our national identity, economy, and security,” he said.
Sought for comment on the issue, the Chinese Embassy said Philippine elections are an internal matter.
Sought for comment on the issue, the Chinese Embassy said Philippine elections are an internal matter.
Chinese vessels have engaged in a series of high-profile confrontations with Philippine ships in disputed waters of the South China Sea claimed by Beijing despite an international ruling that their assertion has no legal basis.
Chinese vessels have engaged in a series of high-profile confrontations with Philippine ships in disputed waters of the South China Sea claimed by Beijing despite an international ruling that their assertion has no legal basis.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in kicking off the campaign season, had brought up the West Philippine Sea to differentiate the administration slate from other candidates.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in kicking off the campaign season, had brought up the West Philippine Sea to differentiate the administration slate from other candidates.
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