Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Commuters endure long waits along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, as the transport group Manibela stages a strike to protest alleged corruption in the government.  Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

TRANSPORT STRIKE- COMMUTERS

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176516393863220250917-manibela-transport-strike-commuters-MT9.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Commuters endure long waits along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, as the transport group Manibela stages a strike to protest alleged corruption in the government.  Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is deploying personnel and resources nationwide to maintain peace and order during the three-day transport strike by transport group Manibela from December 9, Tuesday to 11, Thursday.</p><p>Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police units across the country have been instructed to coordinate closely with local government units and concerned agencies to minimize the impact of the strike on commuters.</p><p>“Our personnel will be on the ground not only to secure the protest action but also conduct assessment on areas that need mobility assets for our kababayan that may be stranded,” Nartatez said in a statement.</p><p>“Our goal is to make sure that the protest action will be done peacefully and orderly similar to the same activities in the past.”</p><p>Police will be stationed at major transport hubs, key roads, and routes expected to be affected by the strike.</p><p>Patrol vehicles will also be on standby to help commuters experiencing delays or difficulty finding transportation.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;PAYOLA CULTURE&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176516377935320240812-manibela-transport-stirke-JC4910.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Members of the transport group Manibela remain at their jeepney terminal at the foot of Nagtahan Bridge in Manila as they hold a transport strike on August 12, 2024. The drivers and operators called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to scrap the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), citing how the high costs of acquiring modern jeepneys could threaten their livelihoods. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Manibela earlier confirmed it will proceed with its nationwide strike to protest what it calls excessive penalties, sudden suspensions, arbitrary demerit points, and persistent red tape in the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).</p><p>In a separate statement, the group said it acknowledge reports that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to look into drivers’ concerns but said such gestures are not enough.</p><p>“While we welcome any gesture of attention, the reality on the ground demands more than a passing glance,” Manibela said.</p><p>Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena stressed that drivers have long been suffering from harassment and oppressive policies.</p><p>“Matagal na naming idinadaing ang panggigipit,” Valbuena said, emphasizing that the situation is far from recent and certainly not triggered by the Christmas season.</p><p>Valbuena also pointed to what he said is an entrenched “payola culture” in some LTO offices, as well as thousands of drivers unable to work because their franchise renewals remain stuck in bureaucratic backlog.</p><p>“LTFRB at LTO mismo ang hindi makapaglabas ng dokumento, pero kami ang pinagmumulta. Kung ito ba’y hindi pang-aapi, ano na ang tawag natin dito?” Valbuena asked.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MANIBELA PUSHES BACK: ‘THIS IS NOT A CHRISTMAS REQUEST’</strong></div><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176516401101120240116-transport-protest-JC8912.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Drivers and operators under the groups Manibela  and PISTON hold their transport protest from UP Diliman to Mendiola, Manila on January 16, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN news</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>He also rejected a government comment labeling the President’s attention as a “Pamasko.”</p><p>“Ang hinihingi namin ay hindi regalo. What drivers seek is not a seasonal handout but justice, decisive action, and genuine accountability,” he said.</p><p>“Kung gusto niyong maging masaya ang Pasko, ayusin ninyo ang problema, huwag kaming gawing biktima,” he added.</p><p>Valbuena also addressed criticisms that strikes inconvenience commuters.</p><p>He said the strike is not a whim but the last resort of workers who have repeatedly been ignored.</p><p>“Sino ba ang tunay na istorbo? Is it the driver who fights for livelihood and dignity, or the agencies that cannot process franchises yet continue to impose penalties?”</p><p>Valbuena reiterated that drivers only want fair and timely franchise renewals so they can legally work.</p><p>With no clear government action yet, he confirmed: “Tuloy ang 3-day transport strike mula December 9–11.”</p><p>Despite the looming disruption, the PNP remains confident the strike will be peaceful, citing previous demonstrations that ended without major incidents due to cooperation between authorities and transport groups.</p><p>Nartatez said the police will sustain their presence and assistance measures for as long as necessary, especially if Manibela decides to extend the strike.</p><p>The PNP urged both drivers and commuters to remain calm and assured the public that it is ready to assist throughout the protest period.</p><div><br/></div><p>.</p>

<p>Manibela earlier confirmed it will proceed with its nationwide strike to protest what it calls excessive penalties, sudden suspensions, arbitrary demerit points, and persistent red tape in the LTO and LTFRB.</p>

Manibela earlier confirmed it will proceed with its nationwide strike to protest what it calls excessive penalties, sudden suspensions, arbitrary demerit points, and persistent red tape in the LTO and LTFRB.

PNP assures security, assistance as Manibela pushes 3-day transport strike

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PNP assures security, assistance as Manibela pushes 3-day transport strike

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 08, 2025 11:21 AM PHT

Read More:

PNP

police

transport strike

Manibela

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LTO

LTFRB

commuters

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