Metro Briefs

Dole to bus operators: Comply with order or else

The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) has warned bus operators that their franchise may be revoked if their drivers still earn through commission basis, instead of having a fixed wage.

According to Dole’s Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC), bus operators will be monitored for their strict compliance with Department Order No. 118-12 — recently upheld by the Supreme Court — which guarantees their drivers and conductors not only a fixed salary but also the other benefits due them.

The order issued in 2012 directs bus operators to provide their drivers and conductors with a mutually agreed upon “part-fixed, part-performance-based compensation” that is not lower than the applicable minimum wage.

This means that for the National Capital Region, it should be at least P512 a day.

Last month, the high court dismissed the petition of bus operator groups questioning the Dole order and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s penalty of franchise cancellation for those who fail to comply.

The court said these orders were “reasonable and not violative of due process” as these “enhance the economic status of bus drivers and conductors” and “promote the general welfare of the riding public.” —Jovic Yee

Ex-Parañaque mayor wants to reclaim post in 2019

Former Parañaque Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. will try to reclaim the city’s top seat next year from incumbent Mayor Edwin Olivarez. Bernabe took his oath last week as a member of Lakas-CMD (Christian Muslim Democrats). His running mate will be Jeremy Marquez, a former actor and incumbent deputy secretary general of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council. Marquez is a son of actor and ex-Parañaque Mayor Joey Marquez. He will be going up against incumbent Vice Mayor Jose Enrico Golez, son of the late Roilo Golez, former national security adviser. According to Bernabe, veteran actor Christopher de Leon will be making a political comeback under Lakas-CMD by running for a seat in Congress against incumbent 1st District Rep. Eric Olivarez, the mayor’s brother. —Dexter Cabalza

Manila cops arrest 16 shirtless men in Tondo

A total 16 men from Baseco Compound in Tondo, Manila, were arrested before Friday dawn for being shirtless outside of their houses in violation of a city ordinance.

The Manila police identified them as Richard Gomez, Richard Acebo, Jimmy Doro Jr., Rolando Olanan, Jhon Michael Calmento, Nathaniel Lausin, Nico Medrano, Edgar Dangan, Reymond Marundan, Andy de Leon, Rocalex Lucana, Calin Pangan, Adulbayani Malidas, Jay Heirro, Rhoy Zigao Manarkan, and Misuari Guaipar.

They were picked up by members of the Baseco Police Community Precinct as part of anticriminality operations in the area. —Aie Balagtas See