Free rice for trisikad drivers

By Felipe V. Celino 

 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz— Several trisikad drivers in the municipality of Sapian, Capiz received free rice courtesy of the “Peryahan ng Bayan” (PNB) and Globaltech Mobile Online Corp (GMOC).

Gerry Paul Infante, PNB provincial administrator in Capiz, said they will also offer more dole out programs, especially during this time of pandemic.

Infante said the free rice is part of the corporate social responsibility program of GMOC and PNB.

Previously, the “Libreng Bigas Para sa Bayan” program of PNB gave free rice to trisikad drivers in the towns of Dumarao and Sigma.

Infante said that they considered trisikad drivers as the target beneficiaries because they are low-income earners.

Earlier, Infante clarified that the operations of PNB is legal debunking allegations made by some sectors.

“Hindi kami isang jueteng. We are legally operating nationwide. Huwag po kayo makikinig sa maling balita na kami ay illegal at walang papel. Nililiwanag po namin hindi kami isang jueteng. Ang sinumang magsasabi na illegal kami ay magiging taliwas sa sinasabi ng korte,” he added.

Infante said that the operations of PNB all over the country are legal based on the decision of the Court of Appeals on Feb. 15, 2019 contrary to the issues raised by some individuals in Capiz.

His statement was corroborated by Cindy Labtang, PNB area supervisor in the province of Capiz.

Labtang said that the group had already informed Mayor Arthur John “Ike” Biñas of Sapian, Capiz and other local government chief executives regarding the legal operations of PNB in Capiz.

Earlier, Atty. Bernard D. Vitriolo, lawyer and vice president for legal affairs of GMOC, clarified the public on the operations of PNB.

“The decision where Globaltech won was final and executory. The entry of judgment was released on May 6, 2019 on the Status Quo Ante Order questioned by the Philippines Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO),” the lawyer noted.

Vitriolo cited the case in Pangasinan last year where the Offices of the Provincial and City Prosecutor in Pangasinan dismissed illegal gambling cases filed by the police against 173 employees of the PNB operated by the GMOC.

He said the prosecutors had no legal basis to elevate or file the complaints of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in court because their operation was legal.

Viriolo also cited the final decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) dated Jan. 14, 2019.

“It is very clear in the CA final decision that Peryahan ng Bayan games operation is allowed pursuant to the status quo ante order issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 161 of Pasig City,” he said.