The Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (CTAP) has formally endorsed the reelection bid of Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, crediting her administration for ending years of harassment and extortion.

CTAP is representing over 12,000 truck operators and workers in Manila.

During a gathering held in Malate, Manila, CTAP President Maria Zapata and the group’s leadership publicly declared their support, expressing gratitude for reforms implemented under Lacuna’s leadership, particularly the crackdown on corrupt practices within the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB).

“It was only during Mayor Lacuna’s administration, through City Administrator Bernie Ang, that we were finally freed from the rampant extortion activities under the former MTPB leadership,” Zapata said.

Also present at the event were City Administrator Ang, current MTPB Head Toti Diokno III, and MPD Intelligence Chief Col. John Guiagui.

Zapata revealed that before Lacuna's administration, truckers were forced to pay P2,500 per truck monthly, which they said is an unofficial “passing through fee” just to operate on Manila’s roads. 

Those who were not “enrolled” in the scheme allegedly paid as much as P8,000 per violation, with transactions made through GCash accounts believed to be owned by the wives of traffic enforcers.

She said these payments were made without official receipts or legal basis, a system that caused immense financial and operational burdens to truck operators.

She added that CTAP sought the assistance of Manila Representatives Joel Chua and Rolan Valeriano, who helped facilitate a meeting with Mayor Lacuna-Pangan. 

Following this, Ang stepped in to directly address the truckers' concerns.

Zapata said one of the mayor's first major actions was the issuance of Executive Order No. 41, which explicitly prohibited the imposition of “passing through fees.” 

Viaje was subsequently removed from his post.

"Mayor Lacuna is the only local executive who had the courage to put an end to this extortion scheme," she also said.

CTAP, which counts 1,200 operator-members and 12,000 trucks under its wing, pledged to actively campaign for the mayor's reelection to ensure that reforms continue and the corrupt practices of the past do not return.

Administrator Ang, meanwhile, announced a new policy banning enforcers from staying on Manila’s streets beyond 10 p.m., stating there is no more traffic to manage during those hours. 

The move is intended to reduce unnecessary encounters between drivers and enforcers.

Zapata said their drivers are no longer harassed by wreckers or arbitrary flag-downs. 

She noted that problems they endured for years were resolved in less than three years under Lacuna’s leadership.

The lady mayor arrived at the end of the program and thanked CTAP for their endorsement. 

She acknowledged the contributions of City Administrator Ang and other city officials in addressing the concerns of the trucking sector.

“Habang kami ay narito, mabubuhay at makakapagnegosyo kayo nang matiwasay sa Maynila (As long as we are here, you will live and do business peacefully in Manila),” she assured the group.

Before her departure, the truckers greeted her with an early happy birthday, as the local chief executive noted she would officially become a senior citizen on May 6.