Transport group hits Aquino offer to talk as ‘insincere, inconsistent’

MANILA, Philippines — “Insincere, inconsistent and in bad faith.”

This was how transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) called President Benigno Aquino III’s invitation to have a meeting and talk about issues concerning the continuous rise in the prices of petroleum products, Piston secretary-general George San Mateo said in a statement Monday.

San Mateo said that Aquino was inviting them to “divide” the transport sector’s unity and to stop the planned nationwide “unified transport strike” set this September.

“We might be inclined not to attend the meeting but we still have to make a formal organization,” San Mateo told INQUIRER.net.

He said they were still to meet with the transport alliance to decide on the matter.

San Mateo said the Aquino administration was alllegedly conspiring with the “big
3” oil cartels because the administration has gained a lot.

“We are not sure what else to talk about because the president already said nothing can be done on oil price hikes and overpricing,” San Mateo said.

The government will be disappointed because transport strikes will continue, he said.