Transport group files disqualification vs Angelo Reyes

A transport group on Monday filed a disqualification case before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against former Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, who has been nominated to represent the party-list group 1-Utak in the May 10 polls.

Reyes was never part of the sector he’s trying to represent, Juanito Ranjo, national president of Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston), said. As Energy secretary, Reyes chose to side with the three largest oil companies — Petron, Shell, and Chevron — instead of protecting the drivers and operators against fuel price hikes, he added. “Hindi namin naramdaman o narinig na pinatatangol niya yung interest nang transport sector sa pamamagitan anng pag batikos don sa tinatawag natin overpricing nang Big Three. Sa halip ang karanasan natin sa kanya pinagtatangol niya yung ‘Big Three,’" Ranjo told GMANews.TV In their petition, Ranjo and George San Mateo, secretary general of Piston, also expressed doubts if Reyes has been a member of 1-Utak for the last 90 days before the polls. Ranjo said he could not understand why 1-Utak chose Reyes. He warned the party-list group that Piston would include them in their complaint once proven that they have the same advocacies to that of Reyes's. "Di ko alam kung in terms of advocacy mag katugma sila. Kung ganon pati 1-utak madadamay doon sa aming reklamo. Bakit sila magkakasundo ni Sec. Reyes sa kanilang advocacy eh si Angelo Reyes eh overprotective sa oil companies? Hindi dapat ganon postion 1-Utak," said Ranjo. On Friday, 1-Utak Rep. Vigor Mendoza confirmed that Reyes is the first nominee of the party-list group, which is the reason why the Cabinet official quit his post. (See: Energy chief Angelo Reyes quits post — Palace) Mendoza said Reyes was chosen by the group’s executive because of his “advocacy for transport groups." Mendoza likewise denied allegations that Reyes is a protector of oil companies. “He has long been an advocate for transport groups, although this has not been publicized. What we see in the party is totally different from what the public perceives," he said. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV