'BTS' to join 2022 polls?


BTS will be seeking a national post in the upcoming 2022 elections.

But the BTS that wants to serve the public is not the popular Korean boy group Bangtan Boys, but a partylist advocating the institutionalization of road safety governance, education, inclusivity and stakeholders' welfare that is called Bayaning Tsuper or BTS.

The group is now expected to file a certificate of candidacy after it accepted on Thursday a certificate of nomination and acceptance for next year's polls. Their move was supported by several transport groups.

"Road safety governance has not been treated fairly in terms of legislation. To date, the country lacks comprehensive, integrated, and responsive laws to specifically and effectively address issues," Lawyer Aminola Abaton, the group's first nominee, said in a statement.

He added that "BTS aims to fill this gap" and is "determined to continue and strengthen the road safety advocacy in Congress."

A group of road safety advocates, BTS was officially organized in June 2019 to advocate for and promote national road safety governance, conduct capability-building and create livelihood opportunities and linkages among stakeholders.