Bianca Gonzalez warns that illegal ‘habal-habal’ will take over if motorcycle taxis banned

Bianca Gonzalez (R). Image: INQUIRER photo/Niño Jesus Orbeta, Instagram/@iamsuperbianca

After Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) board member Antonio Gardiola Jr. announced yesterday, Jan. 20 that motorcycles-for-hire will be impounded and declared “illegal” next week, TV host Bianca Gonzalez narrated an interaction between motorcycle drivers who offer their services through the illegal commuting service called “habal-habal.”

Gardiola, the chairperson of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) technical working group (TWG) which handles the pilot run for motorcycle taxis, recommended the termination of the study assessing the safety of bikes for public transport yesterday.

Gonzalez shared on Twitter yesterday an overheard interaction between two habal-habal riders who were discussing the advantage of the study’s termination to their illegal business. She said the two were in front of her when the exchange occurred.

“Habal 2: Yes! [Sa ‘tin] na mapupunta kita (Yes! Profits will go to us)!” the driver was quoted as saying.

 They also talked about evading authorities when getting passengers. “Abutan mo din lang pulis, okay na (Just bribe the police and it will be okay),” the motorcycle driver said.

Habal habal riders in front of me.

Habal 1: "Uy, wala nang Angkas sa Monday!"

Habal 2: "Yes! Satin na mapupunta kita!"

Habal 1: "Ang sikreto diyan pare, wag ka magpahuli pag magsasakay. Di ka naman nila mahuhuli kapag nakaandar."

Habal 2: "Abutan mo din lang pulis, okay na."

— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) January 20, 2020

Gonzalez claimed on a follow-up tweet that the interaction was based on true events. She also went into detail about how the habal-habal drivers operate.

“Nasa bag ang extra helmet, so hindi mo talaga malalaman na habal sila (The extra helmet is in the bag, so you would not notice it is habal-habal),” she stated. “They can also easily say kapatid o kaibigan nila ang sakay nila (They can also easily say [the passenger] is a family member or a friend). They have their ways.”

Btw hindi ito cooking, literally nasa harap ko sila nag-uusap kasi naghihintay ng pasahero. Nasa bag ang extra helmet, so hindi mo talaga malalaman na habal sila. They can also easily say kapatid o kaibigan nila ang sakay nila. They have their ways.

— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) January 20, 2020

Gonzalez also retweeted the interaction, asking, “Is this what DOTr wants to happen?”

She also shared her prediction if the illegalization of the motorcycle taxis pushes through.

“Maglilipana ang transpo system na gusto [ng] tao at kailangan ng tao, pero hindi regulated,” she said. (The transportation system that people want and need will spread, but [it will] not be regulated.)

Is this what DOTr wants to happen? Because this is what will happen. Maglilipana ang transpo system na gusto na tao at kailangan ng tao, pero hindi regulated. https://t.co/nWz3pYQDVi

— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) January 20, 2020

Meanwhile, Gardiola declared earlier today that the pilot run for motorcycle taxis will continue. The reversal of the TWG’s earlier decision was made after considering senators’ sentiments yesterday during the Senate hearing regarding the issue. Senator Grace Poe also slammed the TWG’s move, calling it “an act of revenge.” NVG

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