By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — The Magnificent 7 on Thursday (Oct. 2) said that they are already fed up with promises hence they are urging President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to remove the head of the PTMP, the chair of the LTFRB and its regional directors.
The Magnificent 7 is composed of major transport leaders namely Roberto “Obet” Martin, National President of Pasang-Masda; Orland Marquez, National President of LTOP; Melencio “Boy” Vargas, National President of ALTODAP; Liberty De Luna, National President of ACTO; Deo Sotto, National President of Fejodap; Zaldy Ping-Ay, National President of Stop N Go; and Marlyn D. C. Ramos, National President of Busina.
In a press conference in Bacolod Chicken Inasal, the Magnificent 7 aired their grievances on the PTMP (Public Transport Modernization Program), especially the lack of a clear direction for its supporters and the calls for immediate reforms and the change of officials leading the program.
The Magnificent 7 asked President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to remove Usec. Ramon G. Reyes as head of the PTMP as he allegedly does not know anything.
They urged President Marcos to implement drastic measures to expedite and put direction to the ongoing implementation of the PTMP.
The groups said that there has been rising concerns among those who supported the PTMP that the program is actually going nowhere due to unclear policy direction by some people in charge of the program.
In their letter received by the Office of the President (OP) on Sept. 29, 2025, they urged President Marcos to implement a massive revamp of regional directors of all land transportation-based agencies.
They also urged President Marcos to appoint a reliable person with integrity and an intense land transportation background to head the PTMP.
The letter to the OP was signed by Martin, Marquez, Sotto, De Luna, Vargas, Ping-Ay, and Ramos.
“Sa tagal-tagal naming naghintay, hindi pa rin po klaro sa amin ang direksyon na pupuntahan ng PTMP. Maliban sa Department order na nilabas, hindi maliwanag ang gagawin ng gobyerno para sa mga sumusuporta sa PTMP,” Martin said in their letter to President Marcos.
“Ang nakakapagdagdag sa kaguluhan ay ang mga aksyon ng gobyerno na binibigyan pabor ang isang grupo pero sa kapinsalaan ng iba, gaya ng Love Bus na binuksan sa Valenzuela. Paano napili ang grupo ni Tinga? Bakit hindi binuksan para sa lahat? Hindi po patas ang ganitong pamamaraan,” he added.
The Magnificent 7 also asked President Marcos to remove LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III, which for them, has done nothing beneficial to them for the last three years that he is in the position.
They also urged for the removal of LTFRB NCR Regional Director Tamayo.
Martin said that they are disheartened because they have supported the PTMP but it seems that they are not being supported by the government.
Vargas said that they hoped that President Marcos would appoint people in the LTFRB and other DOTr officials who know more about the PTMP for the benefit of the transport sector.
“We are asking that we should be supported in the transport modernization,” Vargas said.
He cited that the other two transport groups are being pampered by the government.
“It is as if we pick up a stone to hit our head because we will be paying monthly amortization for seven years,” Vargas said.
He was referring to the modernization program which may bury them deep into debts.
“If you have the money, you will have the line (transport route franchise) that is happening now,” Martin said.
Martin added that they will not stop until LTFRB Chairman Guadiz is removed from his post.
“From the very beginning, we don’t want a transport strike, but at this time, we are going in that direction,” Martin said.
He stressed that once the President orders the removal of DOTr and LTFRB officials, they will consult their legal counsel on the possibility of filing charges against them.
Martin expressed the belief that President Marcos will again accommodate them with a meeting to discuss their concerns and explore on solutions to their grievances and concerns. ###
