Mody Floranda, a prominent leader in the transport sector, has emerged as a key Senatorial candidate for the upcoming 2025 midterm elections under the Makabayan Coalition. As the National President of PISTON, Floranda is dedicated to advocating for a pro-people public transport system through national industrialization.
Floranda was formally proclaimed as part of the Makabayan 2025 lineup during the coalition’s National Convention today. The Makabayan Coalition, as the leading opposition, aims to represent marginalized sectors and provide an alternative slate free from political dynasties and corporate influences common within the Alyansang Bagong Pilipinas lineup.
“Ang laging tanong sa amin, paano raw kami mananalo, saan daw kami kukuha ng pondo. Bakit ‘di nila ‘yan tinatanong sa mga kandidato ni Marcos Jr? ‘Pag mayaman at galing sa political dynasty, ok lang bang magnakaw para makaupo ulit sa pwesto? ‘Pag mahirap ang naghahangad ng pagbabago, kahina-hinala na?” said Floranda.
Key highlights of Floranda’s platform include: improving the public mass transportation system by increasing the supply of public transport through the local rehabilitation of traditional jeepneys and scrapping of the current corporate-driven and foreign-oriented Public Transport Modernization Program and supporting local manufacturing towards national industrialization.
Despite lacking formal education, Floranda’s extensive experience in serving the transport sector equips him to effectively represent the needs of the people.
Born to a farmer and fisherfolk, he is a former Martial Law torture victim who began his career as a PUV driver in Cubao. He later rose to prominence as a leader within PISTON.
“Sa mga nagdaang taon hanggang ngayon, ang mga batas na ginagawa ng pamahalaan ay nagsisilbi lang sa pansariling interes ng mga nasa kapangyarihan. Kailangan ng taumbayan ng mga mambabatas na tuna na nakakaunawa sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na pagsubok at yung kayang magtulak ng mga makabuluhang pagbabago,” Floranda stated.
He joins a diverse slate of candidates committed to advocating for marginalized sectors. His candidacy reflects a growing movement within Philippine politics aimed at amplifying ordinary citizens’ voices and addressing systemic issues through the advancement of national democracy.