(Editor's note: This article was written on April 29, the day before the final deadline of consolidation of franchises under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization program.)
Is this so-called transport leader the perfect example of a PUVMP advocate?
"Siguro kung 'yung gusto nila sila ang masusunod -- tutal malapit na ang 2028 -- maghanda na lang sila para tumakbo silang presidente para masunod 'yung gusto nila," Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) President Orlando Marquez Sr. told drivers and operators that opposes the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) last April 28.
Marquez, a long-time advocate of modernization since 1996 and a transport leader, seems to have lost all sense of what a government is during an interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo last April 28. He suggested – insultingly or sarcastically – to those opposing PUVMP to prepare to run for president in the next 2028 elections so that they can do whatever they want.
Poor argument
Marquez seems to have forgotten that an elected president is obligated to take care of his people and not be an unreasonable negligent king. It is a reasoning void of logic and cruel to the oppressed. Whether the intention is innocent or to insult, telling drivers and operators “tumakbo silang presidente para masunod 'yung gusto nila” suggests he has no compassion for his transport fellows protesting on the streets amid scorching heat to save their livelihoods. Continuing his reason, Marquez cites that more than 80 percent have consolidated and the rest should follow.
"Siguro baliktarin natin. Hindi naman pwede pag kayong kakaunting voter ng barangay ang dapat manalo bilang kapitan. 'Wag naman sanang gano'n," he argued.
What Marquez fails to consider is that the government’s condition to drivers and operators is to obey and consolidate or else, you’ll be off the road and out of business. A series of interviews conducted by OpinYon also suggested that jeepney drivers were left with no choice except to consolidate but still hopes the government would listen to their sentiments.
Fake transport leader?
From the very beginning, Marquez never joined any transport strike and always said it would fail. “Not a single member of my organization anywhere in the country will go along with that foolishness. They (Manibela) are just trying to blackmail the government. Their leader is politically motivated and is not really after the interests of the transport sector,” PNA quoted Marquez in 2023.
Marquez also hit protesters for failing to provide alternative solutions to transport woes as if it is their job and also rejected predictions of a transport crisis due to modernization.
“Our group believes strongly that President Bongbong Marcos (Jr.) will not abandon the transport sector. The President has always supported us and won’t repay him by punishing the riding public. In fact, it was during his father’s (Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.)time that the country saw the “Love Bus” and the LRT (light rail transit)… the transport sector is important to him,” the Philippine News Agency (PNA) quoted Marquez.
It is worrisome that Marquez, a ‘transport leader’ himself is willing to throw his fellow drivers and operators under the bus to advance modernization. As the president of the LTOP, his members should also rethink listening to this leader who thinks a president/leader is a king.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #LTOP #OrlandoMarquezSr #PUVMP