Transport group backs Puno’s bid

A 20,000-strong organization of jeepney drivers and operators have thrown their support behind the candidacy of former Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ricardo "Dong" Puno Jr. for senator in the May 14 elections, saying that he would best articulate the interests of the transport sector as spokesman ng masa in Congress.

The Federation of Rizal Cubao Operators/Drivers Alliance represented by Digs Escober said it believes that Puno’s extensive background and experience in the media, law profession and the corporate sector would make him an effective fiscalizer and spokesman of the masses in the Senate.

"As an opposition leader, we believe that Laban senatorial frontrunner Dong Puno would not merely kowtow to the government’s whims and would instead help promote and protect the interests of marginalized sectors like us," Escober said.

The Federation consists of jeepney drivers and operators based in Cubao and plying the routes going to Antipolo, Binangonan, Cainta, Taytay, Montalban, San Mateo, Marikina, Lagro, Projects 2 and 3, Project 4, Camp Crame, Bagong Bayan, Francisco Homes, Libis, Fort Bonifacio-Guadalupe, and Villamor Air Base-Vito Cruz.

Escober said his organization will campaign for Puno and will convince other transport groups to support the Senate bid of the former press secretary and presidential spokesman.

"We need more people in the Senate like Dong Puno. Kailangan naming mga ordinaryong mamamayan nang spokesman at tagapagtanggol ng aming kapakanan at naniniwala kaming hindi kami pababayaan ni Puno sa Senado (Ordinary citizens like us need a spokesman and someone to protect and defend our welfare, and we believe that Puno will be behind us in the Senate)," Escober said.

Laban President and former Executive Secretary Edgardo Angara had described Puno as one of Laban’s prized recruits who will infuse the party with the energy and dynamism needed to reinforce its role as vanguard of the people’s interests and welfare.

Campaigning under the program Puno ng Pag-asa para sa Masa, Puno’s eight-point platform focuses on jobs and education, housing, a stronger campaign against illegal drugs, good government and justice, food security, environment protection, peace and press freedom.