Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide, PISTON Land Transport Coalition | |
 Logotype | |
| Formation | 1981; 44 years ago (1981) |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Manila |
| Location | |
President | Mody Floranda |
| Affiliations | ITF ILPS BAYAN KMU |
| Website | https://pistonph.com |
Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (lit. 'Solidarity of Drivers and Operators' Organizations Nationwide'), also known by its abbreviationPISTON, is a national federation ofpublic transport associations in thePhilippines. It is affiliated with the Philippine trade union centerKilusang Mayo Uno.
Internationally, PISTON is affiliated with theInternational Transport Workers' Federation.
Established in 1981, PISTON is a national federation of drivers and operators' associations focusing on issues related to the public transportation sector, especially the rights of drivers and operators ofpublic utility vehicles (PUVs) – includingjeepneys, taxis, vans,multicabs,tricycles, pedicabs and buses.[1]
Additionally, PISTON aims to promote and advance the basic demands of Filipino transport workers for decent and stable work, livable income, and all their democratic rights.[2]
PISTON | |
|---|---|
| Political position | Left[3] |
| National affiliation | Makabayan |
| Colors | Blue, Red, Yellow |
| Sector represented | Public transport drivers and operators |
PISTON has attempted in the past to havepartylist representation in theHouse of Representatives.
They have applied to take part in the2013 election. TheCommission on Election unanimously approved their application since they have established that they are representing drivers.[4] However the candidacy was subject to a disqualification case due to allegedly violating campaign posters rules and was bared to fill seats in the legislature.[5][6]
The petition was ruled "defective for the lack of specificity" and PISTON was eventually allowed to take part in the2016 election.[6] They did not win a seat. They were disqualified for the 2019 election, due to failure to win a seat in the past two elections.[7]
| Election | Votes | % | Party-list seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 174,976 | 0.63% | 0 / 58 |
| 2016 | 89,384 | 0.28% | 0 / 59 |
In 2013, PISTON launched a campaign directed to the Philippines' main petroleum companies,Petron,Shell, andChevron to condemn against an oil price hike. They have also urged the abolishment of the Oil Deregulation Law in 2015.[1]
They have also opposed the mandatory phaseout of old vehicles under thePublic Utility Vehicle Modernization Program. They had participated in strikes in protest of the program in 2015,[1]2017 to 2019[8][9][10] and2023.[11] In 2024,Manibela joined PISTON in theLabour Dayprotest against the government’sJeepney modernization program.[12]
On April 19, 2024, thedemurrer to evidence filed by Piston officer Ruben Baylon Severino Ramos, Wilson Ramilla, Ramon Paloma, Elmer Cordero, and Arsenio Ymas - “Piston 6” was granted by Caloocan City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 83 Presiding Judge Marlo Bermejo Campanilla. Theacquittal of the 6 stemmed from their arrest for conducting apeaceful protest nearMonumento Circle inCaloocan on June 2, 2020 duringCOVID-19 community quarantines in the Philippines. They were charged with simple "Resistance or Disobedience" under Article 151 of theRevised Penal Code.[13][14]
On May 14, 2024, theSupreme Court of the Philippines, instead of issuing aTRO, required thedefendantsDepartment of Transportation and theLand Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board toAnswer within 10 days, the April 29 temporaryrestraining order-supplemental petition of PISTON. On thePublic Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, the Court further required submission of status updates on consolidating PUV franchises on a per-route basis, on the Local Public Transport Route Plan per locality and the Route Rationalization Plan, and the hearings before theHouse of Representatives, said SC CourtSpokesperson Attorney Camille Sue Mae L. Ting.[15][16]
