Raps filed vs Yansons for ’forcing‘ workers to resign

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May 3, 2026 | 12:00am

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Three members of the Yanson family, owner and operator of the largest transport fleet in the Visayas and Mindanao, have been charged with three counts each of grave coercion for allegedly forcing 42 employees to resign.

The charges against Oliia Yanson and her children, Leo Rey and Ginette, were filed before the Bacolod City Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday.

Dino de Leon, counsel for the complainants alleged that human and labor rights abuses might have been occurring at the family-owned enterprise, Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI)

The coercion reportedly occurred in 2019, when members of the family were squabbling for the control of the VTI, one of the largest bus fleets in Asia.

De Leon said the company management reportedly prevented the employees from doing something lawful, and compelled them to make choices against their will.

Aside from the Yansons, charged of the same offense were VTI employees and officials including Ral Cena, lawyer Julius Entila, J.D., Edwin Fortuito, Simon Jomok, John Lumacang,   Noel de Ocampo, Hernan Omecillo, Jionilo Opino and Behverly Grace Tinapao.

The complainants said they were barred from reporting to work, marked banned or absent without official leave and accused of violating company rules.

They alleged that they were forced to retire after they were threatened to lose their jobs without receiving any benefits.

The complainants said some of them were told to be demoted and placed on floating status, and or transferred to hostile and unrelated manual work.

The employees said they did not volunteer to resign and were forced to take side in the family dispute.

The Yanson family has been battling for control of the VTI, with Olivia, Leo Rey and Ginette on one side, and four siblings on the other side.