Drivers temporarily halt service yesterday

In response to Leo Rey Yanson, who was earlier ousted as president of Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI), parent company of the Ceres Bus Liner, his successor, Roy Yanson, the former president’s older brother, called on his predecessor to end his legal feud, claiming it would “fulfill the wishes” of their deceased father, Ricardo S. Yanson, Sr.
According to the elder Yanson, in a video recorded before their father’s death in 2015, the company founder appealed for his wife and children to avoid legal battles.
The family matriarch, Olivia Yanson, previously voiced her support for the ousted president.
“We may have disagreements but I still believe that blood is thicker than water or power,” the company president stated. “I know Leo, even my sister Ginnette and my mother Olivia, want nothing more than the best interest of this company, which dad started.”
Roy Yanson then reiterated an earlier statement made by VTI chief financial officer Celina Yanson-Lopez, who accused the former company president of unlawful withdrawals amounting to “millions of pesos.” She claimed such actions are a violation of company policy, wherein such transactions require approval from the Board of Directors.
“Right now, so far, what we have discovered are withdrawals made by Leo, covered by official communications with our banks,” Roy Yanson stated.
He also responded to his mother, who earlier called on Yanson-Lopez to account for P380 million in alleged losses.
“There are no lost funds amounting to 380 million,” the company president affirmed. “My mother, Olivia, was fed wrongful or malicious information.”
The power struggle initially arose after Atty. Sheila Sison earlier sent a press statement to members of the media indicating Roy Yanson was appointed company president.
The statement claimed a special board meeting was held to appoint a new president and replace corporate officers expected to work with the new administration.
Leo Rey Yanson responded by calling the meeting an “illegal action” and named Roy Yanson, Emily Yanson, Ma. Lourdes Celina Lopez, and Ricardo Yanson Jr. among the parties associated with the special board meeting.
Yesterday afternoon, bus drivers reportedly halted service yesterday afternoon at the Bacolod City South Terminal between 3:00 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.
According to reports, the stoppage was initiated in response to an order from an unnamed union official./WDJ