PSTMO head denies political bid for 2019

JECK Conlu, head of the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO), denied that he will run for public office in the 2019 elections.

Conlu said that his active campaign and humanitarian approach against barkers is not geared towards his possible bid for City Councilor next year.

“For now, politics is not my priority,” he said.

The PSTMO recently announced the stricter implementation of the Anti-Barker Ordinance.

A “barker” is an individual or person who calls for, facilitates, induces or convinces commuters to board a particular preferred public utility vehicle (PUV) for the purpose of extracting an amount from the driver.

The Anti-Barker Ordinance outlaws barkers. If caught, they will be jailed for a minimum of three months and a maximum of six months.

Prior to the implementation of the ordinance, Conlu met with the barkers to orient and warn them about the ordinance.

The meeting led to speculations that Conlu’s leniency towards the barkers is part of his political agenda.

Conlu disclosed that there are three groups inviting him to join their lineups for the upcoming elections. But he denied confirming if one of the group is that of Mayor Jose Espinosa III saying his focus as of now is attending to the responsibilities of his office.

“Basta as of now ang mahambal ko sa ila, wala ako tyempo maminsar parti sa pulitika. Kay indi na ko gani makahatag oras sa personal tungod sa trabaho naton. Kay biskan Domingo naga-ubra kita,” he said.

Conlu added that he is open to possibilities of running and he will announce his decision at the right time.

Meanwhile, Conlu said that people who want him to run are those who are interested to succeed him.

“PSTMO is a very challenging office. This is not just purely table works. Our office is more on operations. Wala na diri pahuway sa amon office,” he said.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian