Mario 'Mar Manibela' Soliven Valbuena Jr.
Mario 'Mar' Soliven Valbuena Jr., commonly known as 'Mar Manibela,' is a prominent transport sector leader who serves as the chairperson of Manibela, a group advocating for the rights and welfare of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators in the Philippines. He gained national attention as one of the most vocal critics of the government's Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), which aims to phase out traditional jeepneys and replace them with modern vehicles through a consolidation scheme. Valbuena has organized numerous transport strikes and protests across the country to oppose the implementation of the program, which he claims has caused significant hardship to jeepney drivers and operators. His activism has made him a recognizable figure in the transportation sector and in public discourse on transportation policy in the Philippines. Valbuena decided to run for a Senate seat in the 2025 elections after Manibela's accreditation as a party list was denied, stating that he wants to advocate for PUV drivers who have lost their livelihoods due to the modernization program.
Education
- No specific educational background information available in public sources
Career Highlights
- Chairperson of Manibela, a transport group advocating for jeepney drivers and operators
- Led nationwide transport strikes and protests against the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program
- Organized multiple rallies and demonstrations at government offices including the LTFRB, DOTr, and Senate
Key Platforms
Abolition of the PUV Modernization Program
Advocates for the complete abolition of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), arguing that it is financially burdensome for drivers and operators and was implemented without proper consultation and study.
Protection of Traditional Jeepneys
Supports the preservation of traditional jeepneys, which he describes as 'iconic' to Philippine culture, while implementing safety standards at a more affordable cost.
Driver and Operator Welfare
Seeks to advocate for the welfare and livelihood of PUV drivers and operators who have been affected by transportation policies, emphasizing their right to operate without being coerced into cooperatives.
Anti-Corruption in Transportation Agencies
Calls for transparency and accountability in transportation agencies, particularly in the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), which he has accused of falsifying consolidation data.
Track Record
Transport Strike Organization
Organized multiple nationwide transport strikes, including a three-day strike in March 2025 and previous actions in 2023 and 2024, to protest against the implementation of the PUVMP and what he described as inaccurate consolidation numbers from the LTFRB.
Legal Challenge to PUVMP
Filed petitions before the Supreme Court since December 2023 in an attempt to halt the implementation of the jeepney modernization program, though the Court rejected one petition in March 2024 due to lack of 'legal standing.'
Mass Mobilization
Successfully mobilized thousands of jeepney drivers and operators for protests, including a January 2024 demonstration where approximately 8,000-15,000 participants joined according to Manibela's estimates.
Legal Cases & Controversies
Cyber Libel Case
In April 2024, the Department of Justice indicted Valbuena for cyber libel based on a complaint filed by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista. Valbuena allegedly accused Bautista of corruption, claiming there was a 'lagayan (bribery) scheme' in relation to the PUV modernization program that reached Bautista and Malacañang. The DOJ stated that Valbuena's remarks constituted libel as they maliciously imputed a criminal act.
Positions on Key Issues
| Issue | Position |
|---|---|
| Economy | Focuses primarily on the economic impact of transportation policies on drivers and operators, arguing that the PUVMP imposes unaffordable costs on small transport operators and threatens their livelihoods. |
| Education | Limited specific information available on his education policies for the 2025 election. |
| Healthcare | Limited specific information available on his healthcare policies for the 2025 election. |
| Environment | While the PUVMP is partly justified on environmental grounds (modernized jeepneys would have lower emissions), Valbuena has not extensively addressed environmental aspects in his opposition to the program. |
| Labor | Strongly advocates for the rights and welfare of transport workers, particularly jeepney drivers and operators, whom he views as being unfairly forced out of their livelihoods by government policies. |
| Agriculture | Limited specific information available on his agricultural policies for the 2025 election. |
| Governance | Critical of what he sees as top-down policy implementation without proper consultation with affected stakeholders. Has accused transportation agencies of corruption and falsifying data to justify policy decisions. |
| Foreign Policy | Limited specific information available on his foreign policy positions for the 2025 election. |
| Charter Change | Limited specific information available on his position regarding Charter Change for the 2025 election. |
| Lgbtq Rights | Limited specific information available on his position regarding LGBTQIA+ rights for the 2025 election. |
| Drug War | Limited specific information available on his position regarding drug war policies for the 2025 election. |
| Icc | Limited specific information available on his position regarding the ICC investigation for the 2025 election. |
Sources & Citations
- https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/10/07/2390812/manibela-chair-seeks-senate-seat-advocate-puv-drivers-welfare
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/922860/manibela-chairperson-mar-valbuena-files-candidacy-for-senator/story/
- https://www.rappler.com/people/p18485652-mar-valbuena/
- https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/03/19/2429559/heres-why-manibela-holding-3-day-jeepney-strike
- https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/01/14/2325772/manibela-sets-another-transport-strike-jan-16
- https://www.rappler.com/philippines/prosecutor-orders-filing-cyber-libel-cases-manibela-head-mar-valbuena/
- https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/04/26/2350610/doj-indicts-manibela-chair-libel-over-defamatory-remarks-vs-dotr-chief
- https://www.inquirer.net/416282/jeepney-drivers-halt-operations-to-support-manibela-chairs-senate-bid/
This profile is regularly updated with verified information from reliable sources. Last updated: April 24, 2025
