GOVERNOR Eugenio Jose Lacson refused to comment on the issue about the change of leadership and squabble among the members of the Board and owners of Vallacar Transit, Inc. and four other giant transport companies operating in the different parts of country owned by the Yanson family.
"Obviously I have no comment on the issue. I'm not in any way part of their business," Lacson said.
"My only concern is that we all know that our people depend a lot on Ceres bus as transportation for people and goods. So I'm hoping that the operation won't be affected and that the same number of buses would still be on the road today and the days to come. That is my only concern. And based on the press releases that they gave, both camps are assuring that the service they provide will not be affected," Lacson said.
Lacson made the reaction amid the takeover of Roy V. Yanson as the new president of VTI, Bachelor Express,Inc., Rural Transit Mindanao, Inc., Sugbu Transit Express Inc., and Mindanao Star Bus Transit, Inc. from his younger brother Leo Rey Yanson in a special board meeting, Sunday, July 7.
In a press conference of Roy Yanson's lawyers belonging to the Fortun, Narvasa and Salazar Law Office led by lawyer Sheila Sison, they assured the public that the change in management of the five companies are done precisely to ensure that there will be quality service given to them and pursuant to the commitment of the five companies especially the directors to provide them with continuous and uninterrupted transport service.
"There's no order to stop the operation of the company. No lay off. I cannot confirm if there will be re-shuffling in any of the departments now because I'm sure that the new management will have to meet on matters pertaining to the specific offices or department pertaining to the five companies," Sison further said.
She also bared that there was already a communication made to the labor union clarifying to them that their jobs are secure and that the board of the five companies will continue to respect their security of tenure.
In a press statement, Leo Rey Yanson said that he does not recognize the illegal actions of Roy V. Yanson Emily V. Yanson, Ma. Lourdes Celina Yanson-Lopez and Ricardo Yanson, Jr. among which is the election of Roy V. Yanson as the new President "in an illegally held special meeting and illegally replacing the five Vice Presidents without proper notice and only through a press statement."
He pointed out that he was illegally removed as president without the proper authority.
"The action of the four aforementioned individuals did not comply with the requirements of the Corporation Code and or the by-laws of VTI. The removal was only done through a special meeting of which the election/removal of the president was not even included in the agenda," he further stated.
Sison however said that they understand the opinion of the former president. However she said that all the board meetings, especially special board meetings were compliant with all the by-laws of the five companies and the four directors composed of Celina Yanson, Ricardo Yanson, Emily Yanson and Roy Yanson, all constitute the quorum.
She added that the change of leadership was unanimously approved by the members of the board who were present during the special meeting on Sunday.
She also said that the appointment of the new president is due to lack of trust and confidence of the board to the former president without elaborating further details.
"There was an incident that triggered to the special board meeting on Sunday but we cannot disclose what was the specific incident because we treated it as a private company matter but there's nothing that's invalid or irregular that's not compliant with any of the by-laws of the five private companies under the corporation," Sison further said.
She also revealed that Roy Yanson has already reported to the President's Office on Monday, July 8, at the Ceres Compound in Barangay Mansilingan.
Meanwhile the Mindanao Alliance of Land Transport and General Worker's Union came out with a manifesto condemning "the unprecedented move and takeover of the new management team."
They pointed out that they suffered from previous leadership because of meager benefits.
"Maltu supports the leadership of Leo Rey and his management team who have worked hard to improve the collective bargaining agreement and build workers facilities in Mindanao," the union said in a statement.
The same manifesto of support for Leo Rey was issued on Monday, July 8, by the national president and chapter president of the Philippine agriculture, commercial and industrial workers union (Paciwu) and Paciwu Vallacar Transit Chapter.