Angkas CEO, transport advocates try their way to Congress

Metro Manila, Philippines – A leader of a popular ride-hailing app is joining the 2025 midterm race as a party-list nominee.

George Royeca, chief executive officer of Angkas, filed the group’s Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) on Saturday, Oct 5.

He said he will prioritize the welfare of informal workers should he secure a seat in the House of Representatives.

“The policies we’ve initiated. We fought for this for more than seven years. We know the legislative process,” said Royeca.

“I think it’s time for us to look at our government benefits like SSS, PAG-IBIG. We just don’t classify them (as) unemployed or employed. Because there’s a different classification, there should be a different classification, for gig economy workers,” he added.

Royeca said he wants the national transport plan to be tackled further if he wins.

Meanwhile, another group of transport advocates is trying its way to Congress, pushing for road safety measures.

Bayanihan Tsuper (BTS) party-list said they want to criminalize road rage amid rising cases in the country.

“Sa ngayon, tulad ng aking binanggit mayroon lang tayong purely administrative violation. Ibig sabihin niyan, over the years nakita natin iyong pagdami ng road rage. Kaya po iyong makikita natin, iyong laging solusyon suspension or revocation of driver license,” Alex Abaton, the group’s nominee said.

[Translation: Right now, as I have mentioned, we only have purely administrative violations. This means that, over the years, we have seen an increase in road rage. That’s why we often see the solution being the suspension or revocation of driver’s licenses]

The group said it also seeks to legalize habal-habal (single motorcycle taxis) and institutionalize road safety drills should they grab a seat in the lower chamber.