Jeepney drivers and operators must have enough leeway from the government to buy their own vehicles under the jeepney modernization program, former Senator and 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Thursday.
Speaking at a gathering with jeepney drivers and operators organized by former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, Lacson said it would be better if government merely gave standards and specifications of the vehicles they would acquire.
“It is better if government merely gave parameters and specifications, then it’s up to you to choose where to buy your vehicles. This is better than the government ramming down your throats on what to buy,” Lacson said in Filipino.
Related: Ping Lacson: Bigyan ng Palugit ang Jeepney Drivers, Operators para Bumili ng Sasakyan
Also, Lacson reiterated his earlier proposal that jeepney drivers and operators get to retain their individual franchises, and not have to transfer the ownership of such franchises to a cooperative.
During the gathering, Pasang Masda president Roberto “Ka Obet” Martin noted to Lacson that they enjoyed “kotong-free” days when he headed the Philippine National Police from 1999 to 2001.
“We remember the time when police were extorting us, and all that disappeared when Senator Ping Lacson was Chief PNP. He cleaned up the police force, and extortion disappeared,” he said in Filipino.
“What he did as Chief PNP was exemplary, not only for the transport sector but also for the whole country when he headed the national police,” he added.
Lacson, whose father Buenaventura was a jeepney driver and operator, has been an ally of jeepney drivers and operators since his days as chief of the PNP, when he rid the police force of “kotong cops.”
He said he was inspired to get rid of kotong cops after seeing his father return home tired because he had to deal with mulcting cops.
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Ping Lacson: Bigyan ng Opsyon ang Jeepney Drivers, Operators para Bumili ng Sasakyan
Dapat may sapat na opsyon ang mga jeepney drivers at operators mula sa gobyerno para bilhin ang kanilang mga sasakyan sa ilalim ng jeepney modernization program, ayon kay dating Senador at 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson ngayong Huwebes.
Sa pagtitipon kasama ang mga jeepney drivers at operators na inorganisa ni dating Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, iginiit ni Lacson na mas mabuti kung magbigay lang ang gobyerno ng specifications ng mga sasakyang dapat bilhin.
“Maganda doon, parameters na lang. Ito specifications, may standards tayo, bahala kayo bumili kung saan nyo gusto bumili. Di ba dapat mas maganda yan kesa ira-ram down sa lalamunan ninyo na ito kailangan nyo bilhin pagkamahal mahal,” aniya.
Inulit din ni Lacson ang kanyang mungkahi na ma-retain ng jeepney drivers at operators ang kanilang prangkisa at hindi na kailangang ilipat ang pagmamay-ari ng prangkisa sa kooperatiba.
Sa pagtitipon, ibinunyag ni Pasang Masda president Roberto “Ka Obet” Martin na malaki ang pasalamat nila sa naging “kotong-free” na panahon noong pinamunuan ni Lacson ang Philippine National Police mula 1999 hanggang 2001.
“Noong panahong tayo nagigipit sa mga pulis at na-experience natin yan, kotong, lagay dito, lagay doon, nawala lahat yan during the time when Senator Ping Lacson was Chief PNP, nalinis po ang ating problema. Nawala ang lagayan, kotongan,” aniya.
“Napakaganda ng kanyang ginawa as Chief PNP, hindi lang po sa hanay ng transportasyon kundi sa buong Pilipinas noong panahong siya ang hepe ng pambansang kapulisan,” dagdag niya.
Si Lacson, na ang amang si Buenaventura ay jeepney driver at operator, ay kaalyado ng mga jeepney drivers and operators noong siya ang hepe ng Philippine National Police, nang inalis niya ang mga “kotong cops.”
Inspirado siyang alisin ang mga kotong cops matapos makitang umuwi ang ama niyang pagod na pagod at nabawasan ang kita dahil sa mga kotong cops.
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