Transport groups hopeful of favorable SC ruling

As the deadline nears for the phaseout of traditional jeepneys, militant transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) remains hopeful of a favorable Supreme Court decision on its petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the phaseout under the public utility modernization program (PUVMP).

- BELLA CARIASO 

"We are hopeful that our justices will side with our position so that the transportation sector will continue to serve the riding public," Piston president Mody Floranda said in a radio interview yesterday.

On Dec. 21, Piston asked the high tribunal to stop the implementation of PUVMP and some government orders related to it.

Floranda added while the protest and transport strikes ended on Dec. 22, members of Piston and another transport group Manibela would continue to attach placards with protest messages to the rear portion of their jeepneys as part of their continuing protest against the phaseout and the Dec. 31 deadline.