Mayor made Ynion drivers 
promise not to do it again

The six jeepney drivers who were nabbed after offering “Libreng Sakay” to the public got their drivers’ licenses back from the Traffic Management and Transportation Regulation Office (TMRTO) after they paid the penalty of P 200 each for “no special permit”, not “unfair labor practice” violation as earlier claimed by the agency.

TMTRO head Joe Tengco said the drivers failed to secure a special permit from their office and at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board 6 (LTFRB-6) before giving free rides.

He said such violation has a fine of P 500 as stipulated under Regulation Ordinance  393 Series of 2008 Revised Rate of Penalties for City Traffic Violations. 

But, the amount was reduced to P200 after they promised Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog that they will not engage in the said practice during a dialogue at the City Hall last Wednesday.

Tengco said Mabilog shouldered the penalty fees of the drivers as a sign of good gesture.

The drivers were Michael Isiderio, Ernesto Diaz, Raymundo Dayaday, Rolando Tresballes, Igmedio Jimanga and Renato Vispo. 

They were accompanied by Edgar Salarda, their president for Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytors Nationwide (Piston)-Panay.

Tengco said that based on their initial investigation, 18 drivers were commission by philanthropist Rommel S. Ynion to provide free rides but only six were arrested.

He said that aside from violating the Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) franchise, the said drivers’ actions can kill the city’s transport sector.

Mabilog said there are around 7, 800 PUJs here and such “illegal practice” is unfair to other transport groups.

 “This is really an unfair practice and very, very bad idea as political strategy. Indi na ini saktuhan,” he said.

To note, Ynion is running for mayor in the May 2013 elections.

Mabilog hopes that the drivers’ arrest will serve as warning to the others.*