For the leaders of the country’s largest jeepney organizations, presidential aspirant former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr is their only hope for better life and better deal from the government.
In separate statements, key officers of transport groups said they are supporting Marcos as their presidential candidate because the gains they expect will not be limited to them but to the various sectors in the country, as well.
LIga ng Transportasyon at Operators ng PIlipinas National President Orlando Marquez also pointed out that Marcos has shown he is indeed the unifying president as he has never been observed to be engaged in mudslinging like other camps. “Ang nagustuhan namin kay Bongbong Marcos, siya ay may puso at ‘di marunong bumato ng putik. (What we like about Bongbong Marcos is that he is compassionate and does not offend),” said Marquez.
Marquez said Marcos has assured them that he will prioritize their proposal for the passage of the Public Transport Consumers Tax Bill that would pave the way for the allocation of funds that would help implement transport modernization.
"Gusto ni Senator Marcos, ang mga driver bilang serbisyo publiko sa taumbayan ng buong Pilipinas ay magkaroon ng marangal na tirahan. Iaayos din niya ang livelihood program sa mga asawa ng tsuper para magtulungan para umangat ang kalidad ng buhay ng ating mga driver. (Senator Marcos wants drivers who serve the public throughout the country to have a decent home. He will offer livelihood program for the spouses of drivers for them to help improve the quality of their life),” he stated.
Marquez said the jeepney sector is one of the biggest taxpayers in the country and being prioritized will greatly help them especially after they were badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
During his meeting with the transport sector groups, Marcos assured them of continuous modernization of jeepneys without compromising their classic design which is part of Philippine heritage.
Marcos, official candidate of the Partido Federalismo ng Pilipinas, is also pushing for the inclusion of transportation groups in public consultations to prevent them from suffering from unfair ordinances and penalties issued by the national and local government.
"Ang gusto niya at sinabi niya sa amin ay hindi pwedeng mawala ang jeep ng Pilipinas. Kaya lahat ng miyembro ng LTOP sa buong Pilipinas, deklarado na kami na Bongbong Marcos kami dahil ang gusto namin ay pag-unlad,(He does not want the phase out of jeepneys in the country. That is why all LTOP members throughout the country have declared for Bongbong Ramos because we want progress),“ Marquez said.
Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila and Suburbs Drivers Association (Pasang Masda) National President Roberto "Ka Obet" Martin said Marcos is the only candidate who showed better programs for the transportation sector giving him an edge from other candidates.
Martin noted that voters have learned what the allegations thrown against Marcos and his family are all about.
"It has been a long issue at ngayon ay marurunong na ang mga botante. (now the voters have become more discerning). Napagaralan na nila yan at nalaman na nila na si BBM ay ‘di sangkot sa kung anumang akusasyon na binabato ng kanyang mga kalaban. (They have studied all these and they are aware that BBM was never involved in the accusations hurled by his foes),” he added.
Heads and other officials of major transportation groups including LTOP, Pasang Masda, Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP); Philippine Confederation of Drivers and Operators – Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (PCDO-ACTO); Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP); Federation of Ayala Center Transport Terminals Inc.; and Tiger in Asia agreed that Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Marcos will be their sector’s "best bet” in the 2022 national elections and have committed to support and endorse him not only to their members but to all Filipinos.