TRO on Philhealth fund transfer is a victory for workers

Nagkaisa welcomes the Supreme Court’s issuance today of a TRO against the transfer of the ₱89.9B Philhealth fund to the National Treasury.

 

As recognized intervenor for this case, leaders of the Nagkaisa labor coalition look forward to the more substantive discussions during the oral argumentation on the many issues surrounding the Palace’s action to transfer the fund, while members are denied extensive health coverage despite the availability of billions of unutilized funds.

 

We firmly believe that the transfer was both legally and morally flawed, thus we will continue to press on with the fight to protect the fund and to ensure that decisions are made with full knowledge and participation of Philhealth members, majority of whom are workers in the formal and informal sectors. 

PRESS STATEMENT

Nagkaisa Labor Coalition

29 October 2024

 

Duterte must be held accountable for drug war and labor-related killings

  

The workers group Partido Manggagawa (PM) asserted that former President Rodrigo Duterte must be held accountable for the widespread killings that transpired under his administration. “Duterte must face the music for all the killings during his bloody regime, from drug war killings to the murder of labor leaders and activists,” stated Rene Magtubo, PM national chair and Marikina City councilor.

 

He added that “For all intents and purposes, Duterte admitted to his culpability for the drug war deaths in his testimony yesterday at the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing. But we must also remember that the drug war extended into a war against human rights defenders. His violent rhetoric not just against drug addicts but also against human rights activists enabled the security forces and vested interests who consider labor and environmental rights defenders as enemies or terrorists. Justice must be served to the 68 victims of labor-related killings under Duterte.”

 

Labor groups put the number of labor leaders and activists killed at 68 from 2016 to the end of Duterte’s term. For 2024, the Philippines slipped in the Labour Rights Index compared to its 2022 score because of the lack of protection for freedom to unionize and bargain collectively. The Labour Rights Index is maintained by the WageIndicator Foundation and the Center for Labor Research based in Amsterdam.

 

“The Philippines got a zero score for Freedom of Association which is to be expected given the unsolved labor-related killings. The Human Rights Watch counted four more union leaders and activists killed under the current administration bringing the total to 72. Moreover, the recommendations of the International Labour Organization’s High-Level Mission in 2023 remain remain pending due to the government’s lack of social dialogue with workers’ groups,” Magtubo explained.

 

The High-Level Mission was the result of outrage at the brutal daylight murder of union organizer Dennis Sequeña just a couple of days before the International Labour Conference of 2019. Sequeña’s killing remains unsolved despite a finding by the AO 35 national task force that it is labor-related. “Justice for Dennis Sequeña will partly be achieved if Duterte is punished for the thousands extra-judicial and labor-related killings under his administration,” Magtubo concluded.

October 29, 2024

Platform CEO cannot represent app workers—riders’ group

The riders’ rights group Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong (Kagulong) lambasted the claim of Angkas CEO George Royeca that he can represent app riders and informal workers as a partylist nominee. “There is an inherent conflict of interest between employers and their workers. Di na kailangang i-memorize yan. Employers want to maximize profit while workers desire better wages. We see this in the case of platform riders who frequently complain of arbitrary cuts by apps in their income share even as the companies continue raking in profits,” asserted Don Pangan, Kagulong secretary-general.

 

Royeca filed his candidacy as first nominee of the Angkasangga partylist group which professes to be an organization for informal workers. In 2010, the COMELEC disqualified the first two nominees of Angkasangga, a businessman and an ex-mayor, because they are not from any marginalized groups.

 

Pangan added that “Royeca contends that among his advocacies for running as partylist nominee is the formalization of informal workers. He does not have to be a partylist congressman to lead in this advocacy. As Angkas CEO, all he has to do is to transform their app riders from so-called freelancers to regular employees so they can enjoy the protection of labor standards and workers rights. This is the very definition of formalizing the informal sector—having them covered with the benefits of social protection which in our system is tied to the employment relationship.”

 

“We challenge Royeca to put his money where his mouth is. Stop misclassifying Angkas riders as independent contractors. Recognize them as regular workers and extend to them social protection, labor standards and workers’ rights,” Pangan explained.

 

Kagulong also observed that the glitzy and expensive launch of Angkasangga already reveals how the partylist group truly does not represent informal workers who are the most vulnerable section of the working class.

 

Kagulong has been conducting voters’ education among its members and the broader riders’ community. “We call on riders to be critical of the election candidates. Kilatisin ang plataporma, huwag papadala sa porma at pera ang aming panawagan sa mga botante at sa mga kapwa riders,” Pangan ended.

October 9, 2024

Kagulong

Workers group slam billionaire app owner running as partylist nominee

 

The workers group Partido Manggagawa (PM) slammed the owner of the platform app Angkas who is running as the first nominee of the Ang Kasangga partylist. “How can a billionaire like George Royeca represent ordinary app riders? This is another Mikey Arroyo, son of then President Gloria Arroyo, who ran as nominee of a fake security guards partylist group. Royeca is a poster boy for the undermining of the partylist system as a reform measure,” asserted Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary general.

 

She added that riders have been misclassified as freelancers by platforms and as a result have been denied the protection of labor standards and social security. “Riders have been organizing against abuses by platforms such as arbitrary cuts in pay. How can Royeca speak and fight for riders’ rights and welfare when he owns the app?,” Miranda averred.

 

According to the COMELEC, 73 partylist groups have filed their certificates of nomination and acceptance. But more are expected as 170 partylist groups have been accredited by the COMELEC.

 

“The Constitution provides for the partylist system as a mechanism for representation of marginalized groups such as workers who traditionally have been excluded from Congress as a result of elite domination of politics. Unfortunately, fake partylist groups, like Ang Kasangga of the Angkas CEO, have provided a backdoor for trapos and capitalists to enter the House of Representative. They have squeezed out legitimate partylist organizations truly representing workers and other basic sectors,” Miranda explained.

 

Ang Kasangga first ran in 2010 ostensibly as a partylist of small entrepreneurs but the COMELEC disqualified its first two nominees—a businessman and a former mayor—for not belonging to a marginalized group. In the same election, Mikey Arroyo won as security guards partylist representative.

 

PM was among the second batch of partylist groups which successfully put leaders of marginalized groups into the House of Representatives. Rene Magtubo, a factory worker and union president, sat as PM partylist representative for two terms until 2007.

Miranda called on app riders to reject Ang Kasangga and instead vote for partylist groups which truly represent workers and other underrepresented groups. 

October 7, 2024

Grupo, tinuligsa ang bagong wage orders na nagpapalalim ng “poverty wages”

Photo from Philstar

Tinuligsa ng grupong Partido Manggagawa (PM) ang wage boards ng Rehiyon 2, 3, at 12 sa “pagpapatuloy ng cheap labor policy” dahil ang kanilang mga minimum wage order ay malayo sa mga hinihingi ng mga manggagawa na P150 dagdag sahod upang maibalik ang kanilang nawalang purchasing power.

 “Ang mga bagong minimum wage ay napakababa para sa pantawid ng mga pormal na manggagawa at kanilang pamilya. Ang trabaho ay hanapbuhay, ibig sabihin, ang layunin ng pagtatrabaho ay upang kumita ng sapat para sa isang disenteng buhay. Sa halip, ang sistema ng wage regionalization ay lumilikha ng isang hukbo ng mga nagtatrabahong mahihirap or ‘working poor,’” sabi ni Judy Ann Miranda, secretary-general ng PM.

Dagdag pa niya, “Nagtatrabaho ang mga tao ngunit nananatiling mahirap. Kung ibabatay sa kalkulasyon na 26 na araw na trabaho kada buwan (kahit na sinasabi ng PSA na ang karaniwang araw ng trabaho ay 22 lamang sa halip na 26), ang mga buwanang minimum wage ay hindi umaabot sa antas ng kahirapan. Alalahanin pa nating kontrobersyal ang poverty threshold dahil sa pagiging labis na mababa.”

Anang grupong PM, ang real wage, o kung ano ang mabibili ng mga manggagawa sa kanilang suweldo, ay hindi tumutugma sa produktibidad ng paggawa. Isang pag-aaral ng gobyerno ang nagpakita na ang real wages ay nananatiling stagnant habang ang produktibidad ay tumaas ng 50% mula 2001-2016. Para kay Miranda, “Kayang magbigay ng mas magandang sahod ang mga kumpanya ngunit ang sistema sa pagtatakda ng sahod ay patuloy na nambabarat sa mga manggagawa.”

Binanggit sa Wage Rationalization Act ang apat (mula sa sampu) na pamantayan tungkol sa isang living wage ngunit ang mga wage order tuwinang nakabatay lamang sa inflation—sa pinakamainam na sitwasyon. “Ang mga minimum wage ay naging isang ceiling, hindi isang floor. Nangangahulugan ito na ginagamit ng mga employer ang minimum wage bilang pinakamataas na handa nilang ialok sa mga manggagawa. Oras na para buwagin ang wage boards,” paliwanag ni Miranda. 

	New Daily Wage	Monthly Wage (x22)	Monthly Wage (x26)	PSA Poverty Threshold
Region 2	480	10,560	12,480	13,400
Region 3	550	12,100	14,300	16,046
Region 12	430	9,460	11,180	12,241

October 2, 2024

Minimum wage earners are poor according to PSA “fact reveal”

 

Photo from Rappler

The latest poverty statistics released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) last week show that families with a minimum wage earner as a breadwinner live below the poverty line. “PSA’s ‘fact reveal’ exposes the sad truth that minimum wage earners are working poor as their families survive below the poverty threshold which is unrealistically low. Thus, the urgency of a PhP 150 legislated across-the-board wage hike for all workers,” stated PM national chair and a Marikina city councilor.

 

“The minimum wage is highest in Metro Manila, where the wage board has already granted an adjustment last month. Yet the monthly income of a minimum wage earner in NCR is just PhP 14,190 (P645 x 22 working days). This falls below the PhP 15,713 poverty threshold in Metro Manila, according to the PSA,” Magtubo explained.

 

He added that the same working poor scenario exists for minimum wage earners in highly industrialized areas like Calabarzon, Central Luzon and Cebu. “The ‘minimum wage-poverty threshold gap’ is worse for workers in Calabarzon, Central Luzon and Cebu where no salary adjustment has been granted yet by the inutile wage boards. In Calabarzon the monthly minimum wage is PhP 11,440 but the poverty threshold is PhP 15,457. In Central Luzon the wage is PhP 11,000 but the threshold is PhP 16,046. Finally, in Cebu the monthly minimum wage is PhP 10,296 while the poverty threshold is PhP 14,397. The minimum wage-poverty threshold deficit ranges from PhP 4,000 to 5,000 in a month for these industrialized areas where minimum wages are higher than the rest of the country, except Metro Manila,” Magtubo elaborated.

 

He called for a legislated across-the-board wage hike of P150 to recover the lost purchasing power of workers nationwide. PM is calling on Congress to act on the demand for a salary increase.

 

Magtubo added that “It is a scandal that the minimum wage—which is a floor supposed to protect workers and their families—fails to rise above the poverty threshold. And this holds not just for Metro Manila but for all regions. We are a nation of working poor. Sa kabila ng sipag at tyaga ng mga manggagawa, nanatiling mahirap ang kanilang mga pamilya.”

 

“Further, we can question the accuracy of the poverty threshold estimates. Suffice it to say that even Sec. Balisacan found it difficult to defend the P64 food poverty threshold and stated that it needs revision. This admission from officials is good to hear but action from government is what the working poor need,” Magtubo averred.

August 19, 2024

“Gutom Na Pilipino” (GNP) persists despite economic growth

Photo from UCA News

“The phenomenon of Filipinos going hungry persists despite 30 years of economic growth. Sa mga komunidad, madami ang gutom na Pilipino o GNP. This is the GNP that we see is increasing,” according to Judy Miranda, secretary general of the group Partido Manggagawa (PM). This was PM ‘s reaction to the statement yesterday of Finance Undersecretary Domini Velasquez that poverty will be reduced to single digits by 2028.

 

Miranda asserted that “The government is able to brag about a low poverty incidence because it uses a depressed poverty threshold. Even Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan finds it difficult to defend the low poverty line that he promises a review of the unrealistic basket of goods used.”

 

“We ask Undersecretary Velasquez, what are the planned government interventions so that poverty is reduced to below 10% by the end of President Bongbong Marcos, Jr.’s administration? If this forecast is merely based on continued economic growth, this prediction is misguided as it assumes that everyone benefits from a rise in gross national product. GNP increases just means more gutom na Pilipino. Trickle-down economics is a scam. Di na magpapabudol ang manggagawa sa trickle-down.” Miranda explained.

 

She added that “Workers have certainly not benefited from the robust economic growth or GNP increases. Data provided by former Finance Undersecretary Karl Chua already revealed that the economy doubled from 2001 to 2016 and labor productivity increased by half yet real wages remained flat. Meaning, the size of the economic pie expanded but the slice taken by workers stayed the same. The capital-labor share of incomes is skewed against the working class.”

 

PM avers that Filipinos will not feel the predicted poverty reduction unless that are asset redistribution programs, targeted income transfers, and expansion of public services. “We reiterate our demand for a P150 legislated across-the-board salary increase, maternity benefits for informal women equivalent to 44 days of minimum wage, and provision of public laundromats in poor communities. These are concrete examples of actions that can reduce poverty, especially for women,” Miranda concluded.

August 18, 2024

Minimum wage earner families are food poor—Partido Manggagawa

Photo from Panay News

The P64 food poverty threshold means that families with a minimum wage earner as breadwinner are food poor. This is the reaction of the labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) to NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan’s statement on the latest poverty threshold estimates. Tomorrow, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is set to hold a presscon to announce the results of the poverty survey for the full year of 2023.

 

“Basing on the publicly available PSA data, the first semester 2023 poverty threshold for Metro Manila is P18,704, of which P13,061 is the allocation for food. The minimum wage for Metro Manila, which was increased last month, is just P645 per day or P16,770 for one month. Thus, the income of a family of five with a minimum wage earner as breadwinner falls well below the poverty line and is food poor,” explained Rene Magtubo, PM national chair and a Marikina city councilor.

 

He called for a legislated across-the-board wage hike of P150 to recover the lost purchasing power of workers nationwide. PM is calling on Congress to act on the demand for a salary increase.

 

The P13,061 poverty food threshold for Metro Manila in the first semester of 2023 implies that a person needs more than P87 per day to be considered not poor. This is above the P64 mentioned by Sec. Balisacan which refers to the national average for the full year of 2023. Magtubo declared that “The P64 food poverty threshold is well above NCR’s food poverty threshold since the cost of living is higher in the capital. But despite the higher minimum wage in Metro Manila that is still not enough to sustain a family. Therefore, workers deserve a wage hike.”

 

He added that “It is a scandal that the minimum wage—which is a floor supposed to protect workers and their families—fails to rise above the poverty threshold. And this holds not just for Metro Manila but for all regions. We are a nation of working poor. Sa kabila ng sipag at tyaga ng mga manggagawa, nanatiling mahirap ang kanilang mga pamilya.”

 

“Further, we can question the accuracy of the poverty threshold estimates. Suffice it to say that even Sec. Balisacan found it difficult to defend the P64 food poverty threshold and stated that it needs revision. This admission from officials is good to hear but action from government is what the working poor need,” Magtubo averred.

August 14, 2024

Youth Stand Up Against Multiple Crises, Including the Climate Emergency

 

On International Youth Day, various youth groups declared their commitment to fighting multiple crises, including the worsening climate emergency, which they believe is causing great suffering and threatening the future of the youth.

 

Among those who participated in the Youth Day action with the call "Towards a Just and Sustainable Future," held this afternoon at Timog Circle, was the Partido Manggagawa – Kabataan (PMK).

 

According to Ferdinand Sanchez, spokesperson of PMK, "Today's youth are facing severe crises caused by the greed of the wealthy and corporations, which continue to worsen the state of our society."

 

He added that education is focused on serving foreign interests and the rich, and that poverty and inequality continue to burden our families and youth.

 

"Despite all of this, we must not be disheartened. The crises we face are not natural conditions but the result of a greedy and unjust system—a system that we can and must fight against," Sanchez declared.

 

PMK also emphasized that beyond these issues, the climate crisis poses the gravest threat to the future of the youth.

 

"This is not just an issue for a few; it is a concern for all of us. The recent typhoons and monsoon rains that flooded our streets and homes are just a preview of what could happen in the future. If the youth do not act, and if corporations and governments are not held accountable, we will continue to sink deeper into poverty and disaster," Sanchez explained.

 

He emphasized that the time has come to collectively push for real change—a society that prioritizes people over profit and advocates for a just and sustainable future for all. 

PRESS RELEASE

Partido Manggagawa – Kabataan

August 10, 2024

Action on killing of unionist demanded as PH remains on list of worst countries for workers

 

The group Partido Manggagawa (PM) called on the administration of President Bong Bong Marcos Jr. for action on the case of union organizer Dennis Sequeña who was killed five years ago as the Philippines remained on the list of the world’s worst countries for workers for eight straight years. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the peak global body of organized labor, released the list as part of its 2024 Global Rights Index.

 

“It has been five long years of seeking justice for our friend and comrade Dennis who was shot to death on June 2, 2019 while speaking at a labor rights seminar for Cavite export zone workers in Tanza. We demand that President Marcos Jr resolve the case as the ITUC list is a wake up call for government. Further, action is needed as part of his administration’s commitment to the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) High-Level Tripartite Mission (HLTM) which conducted a probe last January 2023,” stated Rene Magtubo, PM national chair and a Marikina city councilor.

 

Sequeña’s fatal shooting days before the annual ILO conference in 2019 sparked outrage among delegates and led to the decision to send the HLTM to the country to investigate the series of labor-related killings and other violations of the right to unionize in the country. It however took more than four years since that ILO decision for the HLTM to actually conduct its probe. Still, the ILO HLTM concluded that the “presence of a ‘mindset linking’ unions to the insurgency without the benefit of due process, [which] has led to a climate of impunity and violations of workers’ rights” and recommended the formation of a presidential body to resolve the 72 unsolved cases of labor-related killings as of the end of 2023.

 

“The government’s submission to the Committee on the Application of Standards which reviewed the complaints against the Philippine state at the just concluded ILO annual conference states that concrete action has been undertaken by the concerned agencies. We know that there has been none regarding the case of Dennis. This despite the fact that the provincial tripartite monitoring body resolved that the killing of Dennis was labor-related and that the AO 35 Committee headed by the Department of Justice acquired jurisdiction of the case years ago,” Magtubo explained.

 

“The brutal murder of Dennis has become a cold case after five years because of inaction by the government despite the presence of leads and findings by bodies such as the provincial tripartite body and the AO 35 Committee. His case reveals the disconnect between words and actions by the government on the prevailing impunity against union leaders and activists,” Magtubo ended. 

June 16, 2024

 

Riders Call for De-escalation and Demilitarization of the West Philippine Sea

In a unified call for peace and freedom, hundreds of motorcycle riders participated in a "Freedom Ride" on Independence Day, urging China to abandon its illegal claims over the entire West Philippine Sea (WPS). The riders also appealed to other superpowers to cease militarizing the already tense region.

 

The "Freedom Ride," organized by Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong (KAGULONG), Riders Pilipinas, and Partido Manggagawa (PM), aimed to protest China's expansive claims over the South China Sea (SCS) and the WPS. The event also sought to promote peace amid escalating tensions between global powers.

 

Motorcycle riders from Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, and Zambales converged at their respective meeting points before heading to the beach area facing the West Philippine Sea in Candelaria, Zambales.

 

"We do not want the conflict in the West Philippine Sea to escalate into a war due to territorial disputes and geopolitical tensions between powerful nations. We seek freedom, justice, and peace in the area for Filipinos and neighboring countries with territorial claims in these waters," stated KAGULONG Secretary General Don Pangan.

 

KAGULONG emphasized that demilitarization is crucial for easing tensions and preventing conflict in these waters. However, China, the US, and other military powers like France, the UK, Australia, and Japan must commit to this effort to avoid military confrontations.

 

"Both China and the US-led military alliance should withdraw and refrain from militarizing these waters to allow our fishermen the freedom to fish, enable the Philippines to protect its sovereignty, and develop its exclusive economic zones independently, without bowing to foreign powers, whether they are new or former colonizers," added Pangan.

 

The group stressed the importance of transforming the region into a zone of peace and neutrality, rather than a battleground for superpowers.

 

KAGULONG President Robert Perillo explained that many motorcycle riders are engaged in delivery services, transporting both foreign and local products. Any disruption in trade, such as the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, affects them due to high fuel prices and economic instability.

 

Partido Manggagawa reminded the public of the Philippines' historical involvement in global wars, such as the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II, due to its colonization by Spain and the US, and occupation by Japan.

 

"War is a lose-lose proposition. Peace is easier for Filipinos to achieve than getting trapped into a war not of its own making," stated PM.

Kagulong

June 12, 2024

Media Advisory: All systems go for Freedom Ride tomorrow from Manila to Candelaria, Zambales

 MEDIA ADVISORY

Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong

KAGULONG

11 June 2024

 

Request for Coverage

 

Tomorrow, the riders’ rights group, Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong or Kagulong, together with several riders clubs from NCR and Central Luzon along with other allied organizations, will be holding a “Freedom Ride” in time for the commemoration of Philippine Independence Day on June 12, 2024.

The last meet up point of riders from NCR, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, and from other towns of Zambales, around 9:00 AM, will be at the Zambales Capitol in Iba. After that they will drive towards the beach area of Brgy. Dampay in Candelaria for the main program.

 

--------------------------

For inquiries you may contact Mr. Don Pangan @ 09687104349; Viber # 09176300034.  

See details below:

More riders joining “Freedom Ride” tomorrow

More motorcycle riders from Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan and Zambales are set to join the “Freedom Ride” tomorrow, Independence Day, to protest China's expansive claims over the South China Sea (SCS) and the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and to promote peace amid the escalating tension between the superpowers in the region.

 

Riders from Metro Manila will start hitting the road from Makati as early as midnight tonight to link up with riders from Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan and Zambales at their respective meet up points.

 

The destination will be the town of Candelaria, Zambales, as the original plan of holding it in Masinloc did not materialize because the mayor refused to grant a permit for the event.

 

The “Freedom Ride” is organized by Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong (KAGULONG), Riders Pilipinas, along with Partido Manggagawa (PM).

 

“We do not want the conflict in the West Philippine Sea to escalate into a war due to geopolitical tensions between powerful nations. We seek freedom, justice, and peace in the area for Filipinos and neighboring countries with territorial claims in these waters,” stated Kagulong Secretary General Don Pangan.

 

Kagulong insists that demilitarization is the key to easing tensions and preventing war in these waters. However, both China and the US, along with other military powers like France, the UK, Australia, and Japan, must commit to this.

 

“Both China and the US-led military alliance should withdraw from these waters to allow our fishermen the freedom to fish, enable the Philippines to protect its sovereignty, and develop its exclusive economic zones independently, without bowing to foreign powers, whether they are new or former colonizers,” added Pangan.

 

He emphasized that it would be better for this region to become a zone of peace and neutrality, rather than a new battleground for super powers, which everyone fears.

 

Kagulong President Robert Perillo explained that many motorcycle riders are currently engaged in delivery services, transporting both foreign and local products. Any disruption in trade, such as the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, affects them due to high fuel prices and economic disruptions.

 

Partido Manggagawa on its part reminded the public of the Philippines' involuntary involvement in global wars such as the Spanish-American War and World War I, due to its long colonization by Spain and the US, and during World War II when Japan occupied the country.

 

“War is a lose-lose proposition. Peace is easier for Filipinos to achieve than getting trapped into a war not of its own making,” stated PM. 

Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong

(KAGULONG)

June 11, 2024

Riders to Hold “Freedom Ride” on Independence Day

 

Motorcycle riders are set to conduct a “Freedom Ride” on Independence Day, June 12, 2024. This event is organized by Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong (KAGULONG) in collaboration with various riders' groups from Central Luzon and the National Capital Region. Also joining are members of Partido Manggagawa (PM).

 

Instead of heading to Masinloc, the riders from NCR, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan and Zambales will proceed to Candelaria, as the Mayor of Masinloc did not grant a permit for the event.

 

More and more riders' clubs have expressed their intention to join the Freedom Ride to protest China's claims over the South China Sea (SCS) and the West Philippine Sea (WPS). These claims have negatively impacted the livelihoods of local fishermen and have heightened tensions due to the militarization of these waters, involving various foreign powers.

 

“We do not want the conflict in the West Philippine Sea to escalate into a war due to geopolitical tensions between powerful nations. We seek freedom, justice, and peace in the area for Filipinos and neighboring countries with territorial claims in these waters,” stated KAGULONG Secretary General Don Pangan.

 

KAGULONG insists that demilitarization is the key to easing tensions and preventing war in these waters. However, both China and the US, along with other military powers like France, the UK, Australia, and Japan, must commit to this.

 

“Both China and the US should withdraw from these waters to allow our fishermen the freedom to fish, enable the Philippines to protect its sovereignty, and develop its exclusive economic zones independently, without bowing to foreign powers, whether they are new or former colonizers,” added Pangan.

 

He emphasized that it would be better for this region to become a zone of peace and neutrality, rather than a new battleground, which everyone fears.

 

Kagulong President Robert Perillo explained that many motorcycle riders are currently engaged in delivery services, transporting both foreign and local products. Any disruption in trade, such as the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, affects them due to high fuel prices and trade delays.

 

Partido Manggagawa on its part reminded the public of the Philippines' involvement in imperialist wars like the Spanish-American War and World War I, due to its long colonization by Spain and the US, and during World War II when Japan occupied the country.

 

“Peace is easier for Filipinos to achieve than get trapped into a war not of its own making,” stated PM. 

Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong (KAGULONG)

June 10, 2024

Nagkaisa Welcomes ILO Review, Lambasts DOLE for Evasion and Misrepresentation

 

Manila – Nagkaisa, the largest coalition of labor organizations in the Philippines, welcomes the review of the country’s adherence to freedom of association by the ILO’s Committee on Applications and Standards (CAS) adopted last 7 June 2024 in Geneva.

 

Held on the occasion of the 124th session of the ILO International Labour Conference in Geneva, the coalition condemned the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for its blatant evasion and misrepresentation of the issues at hand.

 

During the CAS discussion, speakers from at least ten countries raised serious concerns about ongoing labor rights violations in the Philippines. These international criticisms highlight a stark reality: that the Philippine government has FAILED to implement the recommendations of the ILO High-Level Tripartite Mission (HLTM).

 

"DOLE’s leadership has failed the workers by masking the truth and allowing these violations to persist," said Nagkaisa spokesperson Renato Magtubo.

 

DOLE’s lack of action and apparent duplicity, he added, “blackened the government’s credibility” on the very day that the Philippines was elected as deputy member to the governing body of the ILO.

 

“Back home Sec. Laguesma needs to comply with the directive of the President to recite the pledge and Bagong Pilipinas hym, ‘Panahon na ng Pagbabago’, during flag ceremonies. But with his actions lacking the patriotic and collective spirit of ‘magtulong-tulong’ and ‘ayusin ang dapat ayusin’, change is far from becoming a reality in DOLE,” lamented Magtubo.

 

Nagkaisa insists that DOLE failed to deliver justice to all the 72 trade union leaders killed from 2016 to 2023. On top of that, DOLE apparently does not want to face the reality that red-tagging, abductions, surveillance and profiling and other forms of harassments persists because the Executive Order No. 70 that established the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) remain firmly in place.

 

“We’d like to remind Sec. Laguesma that his inability to address long-standing labor rights issues in the Philippines have serious implications for trade and investments that President Marcos has been working out with the international community since day one,” Magtubo said, adding that the responsibility for this crisis in the making lies squarely with the leadership of the DOLE.

 

The protection and promotion of labor rights are essential to fostering a fair and just society, which in turn, is crucial for sustainable economic growth and attracting international investments.

Nagkaisa Labor Coalition

10 June 2024