{{Short description|Philippine public transport organization}} {{use mdy|date=March 2023}} {{Infobox organization | name = Manibela | full_name = Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon | logo = Manibela logo.png | logo_size = | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | image = | image_size = | image_alt = <!-- see WP:ALT --> | caption = | map = <!-- map image --> | map_size = <!-- defaults to 250px --> | map_alt = | map_caption = | map2 = <!-- 2nd map image, if required --> | map2_size = | map2_alt = | map2_caption = | abbreviation = SMMITT | nickname = | pronunciation = | pronounce_ref = | pronounce_comment = | named_after = | predecessor = | merged_into = <!-- any other organization(s) which it was merged into --> | successor = | formation = {{start year and age|2018}}<ref name="SSMasculino"/> | founder = <!-- or |founders = --> | founding_location = | dissolved = <!-- or |defunct = --><!-- use {{end date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | merger = <!-- other organizations (if any) merged with, to constitute the new organization --> | type = <!-- e.g., Nonprofit, NGO, etc. --> | tax_id = <!-- or |vat_id = (for European organizations) --> | registration_id = <!-- for non-profits --> | status = <!-- legal status or description (company, charity, foundation, etc.) --> | purpose = <!-- or |focus = --><!-- humanitarian, activism, peacekeeping, etc. --> | professional_title = <!-- for professional associations --> | headquarters = | coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LON|display=inline,title}} --> | origins = | region_served = <!-- or |area_served = or |region = --> | products = <!-- or |product = --> | services = | methods = <!-- or |method = --> | fields = <!-- or |field = --> | membership = 50,000 | num_members_year = 2022 | language = <!-- or |languages = --><!-- any official language or languages used --> | owner = <!-- or |owners = --> | secretary_general = <!-- or |gen_sec for General Secretary --> | leader_title = Chairman | leader_name = Mar Valbuena | leader_title2 = | leader_name2 = | leader_title3 = | leader_name3 = | leader_title4 = | leader_name4 = | board_of_directors = | key_people = | main_organ = <!-- or |publication = --><!-- organization's principal body (assembly, committee, board, etc.) or publication --> | parent_organization = <!-- or |parent_organisation = --> | subsidiaries = | secessions = | affiliations = | ror_id = <!-- unique ID in the Research Organization Registry --> | budget = | budget_year = | revenue = | revenue_year = | disbursements = | expenses = | expenses_year = | endowment = | endowment_year = | funding = <!-- source of funding e.g. for "think tanks" --> | num_staff = | num_staff_year = | num_volunteers = | num_volunteers_year = | num_students = | num_students_year = | awards = | website = <!-- {{Official URL}} or {{URL|example.com}} --> | remarks = | former_name = <!-- or |former_name = --> | footnotes = | bodystyle = }} The '''Samahang Manibela, Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon'''{{efn|Previously known as '''Samahan ng Mga Malls Integrated Transport Terminal Federation'''<ref name="SSMasculino">{{cite news|last=Masculino|first=Glazyl Y.|title=Transport groups insulted by LTFRB's 'snub' in forum|url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/transport-groups-insulted-by-ltfrbs-snub-in-forum |access-date=September 20, 2025|work=SunStar|publisher=SunStar Publishing Inc.|date=August 17, 2018|quote=Engineer Mar Valbuena of Samahan ng mga Malls Integrated Transport Terminal Federation was also present during the forum.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ramos|first=Christia Marie|title=LTFRB distances from ex-official allegedly collecting illegal franchise fees|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1079831/ltfrb-distances-from-ex-official-allegedly-collecting-illegal-franchise-fees|access-date=September 20, 2025|work=Inquirer.net|publisher=Inquirer Interactive, Inc.|date=January 31, 2019|location=Manila, Philippines}}</ref>}} ('''SMMITT'''; {{literal translation|Federation of Drivers, Commuters, and United Transportation Terminals}}), simply known as '''Manibela''' ({{literal translation|steering wheel}}) is a public transport organization in the Philippines.<ref name="tosuffer">{{cite news |title=Commuters 'to suffer more' due to P2P service for UV Express |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/231856-transport-groups-statements-p2p-uv-express-commuters-to-suffer-more/ |access-date=11 March 2023 |work=Rappler |date=May 30, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Manibela asks commuters for understanding as drivers suspend operations |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/06/06/2186474/manibela-asks-commuters-understanding-drivers-suspend-operations |access-date=11 March 2023 |work=The Philippine Star |date=6 January 2022}}</ref> It claims to have 50,000 drivers and operators as members as of March 2022.<ref name=backs-robredo>{{cite news|title=Manibela transport group backs Robredo's presidential bid|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/overseas/03/30/22/manibela-transport-group-backs-robredo-in-halalan-2022|access-date=March 11, 2023|work=ABS-CBN News|date=March 30, 2022}}</ref>
The group attempted to register as a partylist for the 2019 House of Representatives election, but was denied by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).<ref>{{cite news|title=Pasok Sa Balota! 126 Groups Comprise Comelec's Initial List Of Party-Lists For 2019 Polls|url=https://politiko.com.ph/2018/11/21/pasok-sa-balota-126-groups-comprise-comelecs-initial-list-of-party-lists-for-2019-polls/headlines/|access-date=September 20, 2025|work=Politiko|publisher=MCD Multimedia Corporation|date=November 21, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Adel|first=Rosette|title=LIST: Certified party-list candidates for 2019 elections|url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/03/07/1899494/list-certified-party-list-candidates-2019-elections|access-date=September 20, 2025|work=Philstar.com|publisher=Philstar Global Corp.|date=March 7, 2019|location=Manila, Philippines}}</ref>
Manibela has opposed the implementation of phaseout for traditional jeepneys under the Philippine government's Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.<ref name=backs-robredo/> They initiated a nationwide transport strike in 2023 against the policy.<ref name="gulfnews">{{Cite news |last=Hilotin |first=Jay |date=March 3, 2023 |title=Philippines: Why 'jeepney' drivers declared a weeklong strike |language=en |work=Gulf News |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/philippines/philippines-why-jeepney-drivers-declared-a-weeklong-strike-1.1677846760538 |access-date=March 4, 2023 |archive-date=March 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304030820/https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/philippines/philippines-why-jeepney-drivers-declared-a-weeklong-strike-1.1677846760538 |url-status=live }}</ref>
For the 2022 Philippine presidential election, they endorsed the campaign of Leni Robredo.<ref name=backs-robredo/> They made a failed bid to participate in the 2022 House of Representatives election and to win a seat in the legislature as a partylist organization.<ref>{{cite news |title='Real' public transpo laborers seek Congress seats amid 'neglect' |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/10/03/21/real-transpo-laborers-seek-house-seats-amid-neglect |access-date=11 March 2023 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> Their candidacy failed to receive accreditation from the Commission on Elections.<ref>{{cite news|title=Comelec rejects 107 party-list groups with finality|url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/12/4/Comelec-rejects-107-party-list-groups-with-finality.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204092115/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/12/4/Comelec-rejects-107-party-list-groups-with-finality.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 4, 2021|access-date=March 11, 2023|work=CNN Philippines|date=December 4, 2021|language=en}}</ref>
Manibela joined PISTON in the 2024 Labor Day protest against the government’s Jeepney modernization program.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Demayo |first1= Mark |title=Transport groups join Labor Day protest|url= https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/1/transport-groups-join-labor-day-protest-1122|access-date=May 1, 2024 |publisher= ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs|date=May 1, 2024}}</ref> Its chairman Mario "Mar" Valbuena Jr. filed his candidacy for senator in the 2025 election.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serquina |first=Mariel Celine |date=2024-10-07 |title=Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena files candidacy for senator |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/922860/manibela-chairperson-mar-valbuena-files-candidacy-for-senator/story/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}}</ref>
==Legal issue== Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 158, Presiding Judge Manuel Gerard Tomacruz issued an arrest warrant dated April 23, 2024, against chairman Mar Valbuena with recommended bail of P10,000 each for 2 counts of cyber libel emanating Jaime Bautista's sworn complaint. Valbuena accused Bautista of corruption, which Bautista denied. The court ruling also dismissed a complaint of grave threats filed against Valbuena.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bolledo |first1= Jairo|title=Court orders arrest of Manibela head Mar Valbuena over cyber libel charges|url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/pasig-court-orders-arrest-mar-valbuena-cyber-libel-charges/ |accessdate=May 1, 2024 |publisher=Rappler |date=April 30, 2024}}</ref>
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Facebook|teammanibela}}
Category:Transportation organizations based in the Philippines Category:Trade unions in the Philippines Category:Activism in the Philippines