CERES FEUD WORSENS: Leo Rey bars four siblings from offices, terminals

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The worst is yet to come in the raging feud within the Yanson clan over control of their multibillion peso bus company.

The latest is a memorandum issued by Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI) President Leo Rey Yanson on Aug 14, 2019 barring his siblings and company shareholders Roy, Emily, Ricardo Jr., and Ma. Lourdes Celina Yanson-Lopez from the company headquarters in Barangay Mansilingan here, and their other branches nationwide.

In July 2019, Roy and company ousted Leo Rey as president and CEO of VTI, a subsidiary of the Yanson Group of Bus Companies and operator of the Ceres Bus Liner. But Leo Rey managed to regain control of their key terminals and main office with the help of the police last week.

Citing the ongoing general audit of their main office and other terminals, Leo Rey ordered all VTI workers staff and security personnel to prevent his four siblings and their supporters from entering the premises, branches, and terminals, especially their main hubs at the Bacolod North and South Terminals.

He also warned that violators of the office memorandum “will be dealt with severely, to the fullest extent allowed by law.”

Both Celina and Emily arrived at the VTI headquarters on Wednesday and attempted to enter but they were immediately blocked by AGNSA security guards.

Atty. Gerry Llena, one of Leo Rey’s lawyers, explained that the instructions were for the safety of the employees who backed their side of the conflict.

“Leo Rey has a deep concern for his employees,” he stated. “If those employees who cannot be controlled are allowed entry, their safety may also be compromised.”

“We have to sweep the entire area for physical control and it will require time,” the attorney added.