MANILA, Philippines - Transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) has condemned the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for either cancelling or suspending the franchises of some bus companies that had participated in a bus strike last November.
Piston, in a press statement on Sunday, described the LTFRB’s decision as “political harassment.”
The group claimed that the government wants to prevent the transport sector from using labor strikes to press for their social rights and better livelihood.
“Ang Piston at buong transport sector ay di natatakot sa paninindak ng gobyernong Aquino,” the militant group said.
Piston warned that it is planning another nationwide strike amid the recent spate of fuel price hikes.
The LTFRB earlier cancelled the franchise of Philippine Corinthian Liner, owned by businesswoman-singer Claire Dela Fuente, for its participation in the November transport strike.
Corinthian has more than 100 buses.
LTFRB Chairman Nelson Laluces said they have also suspended 2 other bus companies, ES Transport and Bovjen Transportation.
ES Transport was suspended for 3 months, while Bovjen was suspended for 6 months.
