Manibela's Mar Valbuena files his certificate of candidacy for senator on Oct. 7, 2024. Jauhn Etienne Villaruel, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Transport leader Mario "Mar" Valbuena explained on Monday why he ran for senator instead of seeking a party-list seat in the House of Representatives as they originally intended.

"Yung application po namin for accreditation ng party-list ng Manibela, dineny po nang hindi man lang ako nakatanggap ng kahit anong resolusyon," he said after filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator. 

(Our application to have Manibela accredited as a party-list was denied without my even receiving a copy of the resolution)

He said that Manibela's lawyer had failed to inform the group of the development, which led to "lapses". He said Manibela has since fired the lawyer.

GROUP HAD NO CHANCE TO SEEK RECONSIDERATION

Valbuena said he only received a copy of the resolution from the Commission of Elections (Comelec) saying their party-list was not on the list of accredited ones last Friday.

But he explained he has yet to receive the earlier resolution on the deficiencies in their application for party-list accreditation.

"Hindi man lang kami naka pag MR. Nagpadala kami ng manifestation na sana mapakinggan parin kami, pero ganun siguro ho mahirap po magpa-accredit," he shared.

(We were not even able to file a Motion for Reconsideration. We sent a manifestation that we be given a chance to be heard, but I suppose it is really difficult to get accredited)

He said that the development suggests that even established sectoral groups do not stand a chance if "they have no money or connections."

• Pimentel: Charter change needed to bring back essence of party-list system

'STRUGGLE EVERY DAY, NOT JUST DURING ELECTIONS'

After learning Manibela's party-list bid was denied, Valbuena said he decided to take the fight for transport sector workers to the Senate instead.

"Hindi lamang tuwing eleksyon, araw-araw nakikipagbuno kami pero hindi namin nakakalimutan mag-serbisyo sa taumbayan," Valbuena said.

(We continue the struggle every day, nut just during elections, but we do not forget that we must serve the people)

The transport leader was welcomed by dozens of jeepney drivers from across the country at the Quirino Grandstand, a show of support for the transport leader.

During their send-off program, the drivers who mostly came from Metro Manila, said they decided not to ply their routes to join Valbuena as he formalized his senatorial bid.

Valbuena joins a Senate race that is also being contested by Mody Floranda, president of transport group Piston, which has worked with Manibela in the campaign against the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

The program aims to consolidate jeepney drivers and operators into cooperatives, which the government said will lead to modern jeepney fleets. 

Valbuena's group Manibela has been part of transport strikes in protest of the PUV modernization program, which they say will phase out traditional jeepneys and replace them with more expensive models.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier rejected the Senate's call to suspend the implementation of the program. He said the April 30 deadline for consolidation is final.

Transport regulators said 83 percent or 159,683 of public utility vehicles have consolidated since the April 30 deadline.

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