Transport group PISTON President George San Mateo has refused to enter a not guilty plea.
This was during the arraignment today of his case at the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC).
He is facing a case for violation of the Public Service Law.
This is in connection with the transport strike he led in February last year.
The charge was filed by the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
San Mateo said he refused to enter a plea of not guilty during a hearing at the Branch 43 of the QC-MTC.
He maintained the case against him constitutes harassment as his group opposes government's plan to phase out old jeepney units.
The court entered the not guilty plea on his behalf.
After the proceeding, San Mateo joined his group in a protest in front of the LTFRB in Quezon City.
He said the Inter-Agency Council on Transport (I-ACT) is already implementing the phase out through the "Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok" campaign against old and delapidated public utility vehicles (PUVs).
LTFRB Chairperson Martin Delgra went down from his office to talk with the demonstrators.