Montealto amid protests for his removal: ‘I shall continue to serve’
LTFRB-7 Regional Director Eduardo Montealto Jr. | CDN Digital FILE Photo (Futch Anthony Inso)
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas (LTFRB-7) Director Eduardo Montealto Jr. remains unfazed by the series of protest actions demanding his ouster as LTFRB-7 head in the region.
In a text message to CDN Digital on Thursday morning, March 30, 2023, Montealto said he respected the right of the drivers, conductors and operators to express themselves by holding a rally.
However, he said he would continue to serve as LTFRB-7 director unless there is an order from the national office for him to cease his position in the government.
“That is their right. I support whatever the guidelines from the higher echelon [are] for me. But pending whatever it would be, I shall continue to serve and fight for the overall developments in our jurisdiction,” he said.
“To my detractors, I love you all. We are Filipinos; God bless,” he added.
READ: PISTON-Cebu to LTFRB: Suspend compulsory franchise consolidation, MPUJ purchase
PISTON-Cebu picket rally
On Thursday morning, members of the Pagkakaisa Ng Mga Samahan Ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON)-Cebu staged a picket rally in front of a mall along Gen. Maxilom Avenue Ext., Sergio Osmeña Blvd. in Cebu City.
This, however, is not the first time a group has staged a rally calling for the ouster of Montealto.
Earlier this month, various transport groups in Cebu also held a protest demanding for his removal in public service for allegedly causing problems in their compliance with the PUV modernization requirements.
READ: Be considerate? LTFRB says modernization plan had been delayed to accommodate concerns
Failure of Montealto
Greg Perez, the chairperson of PISTON-Cebu, in a phone interview with CDN Digital, said that their action on Thursday morning, was in response to Montealto’s alleged failure to address the woes of PUV drivers and operators in the region.
The group also called out Montealto for his alleged favoritism towards select corporations and/or transport groups.
The picket rally, which lasted for more than an hour, was held simultaenously with the LTFRB’s meeting among all its regional directors here in Cebu.
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