Transport workers won't be able to vote

MANILA, Philippines - Thousands of drivers and other transport workers nationwide won’t be able to vote today, the labor party-list group Federation of Free Workers (FFW) said yesterday.

FFW spokesman Julius Cainglet said although today has been declared a holiday, transportation companies have told drivers and other transport workers not to miss a minute of work.

“Employers who prohibit or prevent their employees from voting are guilty of an election offense under our election laws,” he said.

Cainglet said it is different if transport workers willingly waive their right to vote, either because they are not registered voters; choose not to return to their hometown where they are registered; or prefer to boycott the elections for ideological reasons.

“But for others, it is simply an economic decision, where he sees it is better to work today, than to cast his vote,” he said.