“On Wednesday morning, Feb 18, Lei Jimenez, the widow of comedian Arvin ‘Tado’ Jimenez marched to the Manila terminal of GV Florida Transport Inc, the purported owner of the passenger bus that plunged into a Mountain Province ravine, killing her late husband along with 14 others,” reports Camille Diola on Philstar.com.
Jimenez — who was accompanied by members of the group Dakila — then had her head shaved in front of friends and spectators. It was her protest move against “the management of the bus liner as well as the government agency responsible for regulating public transportation.” She is holding them accountable for the February 7 bus crash.
READ: RIP: Tado Jimenez killed in Bontoc bus crash
The report quoted Jimenez, who said in her statement, “This unfortunate loss of so many lives was caused by the irresponsibility of the GV Florida Bus Lines and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).”
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Below is the full press release from Dakila:
The wife of artist-activist Arvin “Tado” Jimenez held a dramatic protest today, February 19, Wednesday, in front of the GV Florida Bus Lines station in Sampaloc, Manila, by shaving her hair off to cry for justice for the victims of the recent tragic bus accident that claimed 15 lives including her husband, Tado.
According to Lei Jimenez, her dramatic action is an expression of her rage towards this grave injustice done to her family and the families of all the victims of this tragedy. Lei said, “This unfortunate loss of so many lives was caused by the irresponsibility of the GV Florida Bus Lines and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). They should be made accountable and justice should be served to the victims and their families.”
Tado had almost always worn his hair long. In irony to her husband’s signature long hair, Lei, referring to her decision to shave her hair off, said, “If Tado were alive then he would have done the same to make his statement loud and clear. Tado has been an activist since our student days in PUP and he always made his political statement in a creative fashion.”
According to Lei, her action paid homage to the ideals of her husband and continue his fight against injustice. She calls on the families and friends of victims of the bus tragedy to bond together in this difficult time to pursue the justice they rightfully deserve. A meeting with families and friends of other victims and survivors of the crash is being arranged at the moment to discuss and explore next possible concrete actions.
Lei further added, “This tragic incident was not only caused by the Florida Bus Lines and the Mt. Province Cable Tours. LTFRB as the government regulatory body is also accountable in their laxness/negligence in enforcing safety. The whole system must be reformed. If this “kabit” and “kolorum” system continue and blatant multiple violations are tolerated, more lives will be put in danger. It is such an irony that Tado was killed by the system he has painstakingly tried to change.”
According to the artist group Dakila that Tado co-founded, Tado actively campaigned for road safety as one of his many advocacies and had worked most of his life in trying to change the corrupt system that perpetuates poverty, injustice and oppression. His death would be pointless if this would not lead to any reforms in the transport system and justice shall not be given to the victims and their families. Dakila vowed to rally behind Tado’s family and those of the victims of the bus tragedy in their pursuit of justice and reforms in the transportation system.
Lei Jimenez, in ending said, “I encourage the public to continue honoring Tado’s legacy by remaining vigilant against injustice and continue their support by rallying behind the victims and their families in our quest for justice. Let us keep Tado alive by being part of the movement for his many advocacies.”
