PUVMP and PI and political distrust

Two controversial and ongoing issues in the Philippines these days are the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) and the People’s Initiative (PI) to amend the Constitution. These are two separate actions of the government are not directly related, but its effect and impact on the BBM administration will determine its dominance in politics and in the government.

The PUVMP which is about the phase-out of the traditional jeepneys for safer, cleaner, more comfortable, and less-polluting mini-buses, has its implementation deadline extended for the eighth time up to April 30, 2024. This is due to the strong opposition by the operators/drivers who may lose their livelihood, and the possible lack of transportation for commuters.

There is also the implementation problem of requiring the individual jeepney franchise holders to consolidate into cooperatives, to be able to afford the more expensive minibuses that will make them eligible for government subsidy on the vehicle cost. This is a big problem, as the profitability/ financial viability of the cooperative will depend on the group management and no longer on the individual owner/ driver/operator.

There is also the route rationalization that is critical for the transport cooperatives to get the needed passenger volume. The affected political constituency/citizens affected by this PUVMP, are the lower middle class jeepney owners/ operators/drivers, and the lower class riding public. These are sizable constituencies.

The People’s Initiative is a process to amend the Philippine Constitution by securing 3% of signatures from registered voters from all the provinces, cities, and municipalities to mandate both houses of Congress to convene as a constituent assembly, for the purpose of amending the constitution. There are existing Supreme Court decisions/ruling casting doubt on the legality of this process, but as this initiative has the backing of the House speaker and implied support of BBM, our spineless congressmen/congresswomen are either supporting or keeping quiet.

There is strong oppositions against this PI from nationalistic citizens, the religious sectors, civil society, the academe, and the press. Their objections range from foreigners owning land and strategic businesses to perpetuating family political dynasties. The business sector is split but amenable to liberalizing some economic restrictions.

There is a unanimous concern that the incumbent politicians will not limit the amendments on the economic provisions, but will insert/input provisions that will extend their term of office and/or change the form of government and election process, to perpetuate their families’ hold on public offices. The affected and vocal constituencies here are the whole middle class, half of the upper class, and the informed lower class. These are large formidable constituencies.

It is hard to determine what rank/priority the PUVMP and PI initiatives fall under in the BBM government agenda. These could just be a test or trial balloon to determine its strength and hold on the “trapos”, and determine if they can still buy and fool the people. Or it could be hubris, that they can do anything they want in the government and the people. Or, these are issues far from the “tipping point” and will not cost political capital. Or, they miscalculated the effects/impact of these issues and it is the beginning of political decline. BBM’s father FM totally miscalculated the “tipping point”, that is why we had the EDSA Revolution, and so did Estrada.

The eighth extension of the PUVMP deadline may be part of making the PI more palatable to the people and divert attention from the graver problems of the country like inflation and poverty. If the PI does not fly, there is a greater probability that the PUVMP will be pushed harder as the government has to demonstrate political will and power. But there is also a great probability that this government will lose on both initiatives as there is a growing distrust of the people in the government and the politicians.

"The eighth extension of the PUVMP deadline may be part of making the PI more palatable to the people and divert attention from the graver problems."

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