Calabarzon Transport Groups Back Lacson's Presidential Bid

Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson received the backing of transport groups in the Calabarzon district for his presidential bid in 2022, following a meeting with them in Lipa City in Batangas, Tuesday.

Lacson, who is running for President under Partido Reporma, vowed to help the transport groups address the issues affecting them, especially during the pandemic.

"I had a no-holds-barred dialogue with leaders and members of Fejodap & TODA in Lipa City this morning. Issues affecting the transport industry are more complex than just dealing with the pandemic. Resolving the issues they raised are being addressed. They will hear from me soon," Lacson, whose father worked as a jeepney driver to send him and his siblings to school, said on his Twitter account.

Present at the consultation were Lipa City mayoralty candidate Retired Gen. Nestor Sanares and vice mayoralty bet Camille Lopez, who expressed support for Lacson.

Aldabest Arnaiz, president of People’s Will, said that while they do not need to stage a caravan for Lacson as they have no vehicles, they can march to show their support.

“ We may not have the cars for a caravan but we can march to show our support,” he said.

 “We call Lacson Mr. Clean because he is the only senator who refused his pork barrel,” Arnaiz said. “He is not just Mr. Clean, he is also Mr. Action Man!”

As Philippine National Police chief from 1999 to 2001, Lacson brought down  several crime syndicates.

 “Lacson returned public monies to the public with his brand of public service,” Arnaiz stressed.

Among the issues the transport groups raised were the ill effects of jeepney modernization and the Department of Transportation's "Libreng Sakay" on their livelihood.

" We don't need financial aid. We need our livelihood," said  Fejodap president for Calabarzon.

Lacson said he and fellow senators have already stressed the need to ensure transport groups can cope with  the high costs of modernizing their jeepneys.

"It will be expensive to get a new jeepney. That's why we did not approve the modernization program in the Senate as the drivers cannot afford it. And what will we do with the jeepneys that are still roadworthy? Those are the questions the Department of Transportation has yet to answer. In the meantime, so many drivers are displaced due to the pandemic," Lacson noted.

“I know what I am saying and I feel your plight because my father was also a jeepney driver,' Lacson added.