Makabayan senatorial bets, transport leaders slam ‘no permit, no rally’ complaint

Two Makabayan Coalition senatorial candidates and leaders of transport groups, Manibela and Piston, condemned the criminal case filed against them on Oct. 16 for allegedly violating the ‘no permit, no rally’ policy under the Batas Pambansa Blg. 880, or the Public Assembly Act.

The accused included Piston National President Mody Floranda and Kadamay Secretary General Mimi Doringo, both from the Makabayan Coalition; Manibela Chairperson Mario Valbuena; Manibela President Regie Manlapig; and Piston Deputy Secretary General Ruben Baylon.

The complaint stemmed from the protest and march to Mendiola staged by members of the transport group Manibela on Aug. 14, as part of the three-day nationwide transport strike.  

In response, Doringo and Floranda, senatorial candidates of Makabayan Coalition, denounced the complaint on their Facebook posts, which called to fight for the rights of drivers and commuters.

“Mariin kong kinukundena itong panibagong hakbang ng PNP at ng mga awtoridad para busalan ang aming paninindigan at pagkilos. Saanman, kailanman, gagawin namin sa Makabayan ang lahat para ipaglaban ang kapakanan ng mga tsuper at komyuter,” Doringo said on condemning the actions of Philippine National Police (PNP) which aimed to suppress the right to protest of drivers, operators, and commuters. 

Doringo claimed that the Makabayan Coalition is a ‘victim’ of constant abuse by the PNP, especially as the 2025 midterm elections approach.

After receiving a notice of complaint, Floranda said that the Makabayan Coalition will push for the abolition of the Batas Pambansa Blg. 880.

“Magpapasa tayo ng mga batas na magpoprotekta sa karapatan ng bawat mamamayan at manggagawa na magprotesta at magwelga. Titiyakin nating ang gobyerno ay siyang nagbibigay-proteksiyon sa lahat ng batayang karapatang pantao.” Floranda said.

He further stressed the importance of the right to protest and called for unity against the ‘pro-foreign and modernization business of the Marcos Jr. regime.’

Meanwhile, Manibela also released a public statement on behalf of Valbuena and Manlapig, which condemns the complaint filed against their allies. 

“Ang batas na ito, na dapat ay nagbibigay proteksyon sa karapatan ng mga mamamayan na magpahayag at magtipon nang mapayapa, ay ginagamit ngayon upang patahimikin ang aming mga lehitimong hinaing,” Manibela said on the misuse of Public Assembly Act.

Manibela claimed that their protests were ‘peaceful’ and aimed to defend the workers’ rights.

“Bakit kami ang agad na kinasuhan, habang ang mga malalaking negosyante at korporasyon na hindi nagbibigay ng tamang sahod at benepisyo ay malayang nakakalusot? Bakit hindi sila ang hinahabol ng batas, samantalang sila ang tunay na nagsasamantala?” Manibela said.

In a Facebook post, Piston said that no permit should be required to fight for and defend workers’ rights, as the Batas Pambansa Blg. 880 is an ‘outdated law’ signed by Marcos Sr. 

The five accused will face their arraignment and pre-trial on Nov. 14 through In Court Hearing.

Valbuena, running as an independent candidate, along with Doringo and Floranda from the Makabayan Coalition, are part of the initial list of senatorial candidates for the 2025 midterm elections.

On Sept. 23, transport groups Piston and Manibela staged another transport strike.

Baylon headed the protest against the consolidation of public utility jeepney (PUJ) franchises under the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).

As an effect, many commuters were stranded in some parts of Metro Manila.

In August, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. still did not heed the call to suspend the jeepney modernization program.

"I disagree with them because sinasabi nila minadali. This has been postponed seven times, the modernization has been postponed for seven times," Marcos Jr. earlier said.