MANGGAGAWA LABAN SA DIKTADURA, KORAPSYON AT DINASTIYA!

 

Sa bisperas ng paggunita sa ika-54 na anibersaryo ng deklarasyon ng Martial Law, lalahok ang Partido Manggagawa (PM) sa Lakbay Pananagutan ng People’s Assembly sa ibat-ibang institusyon tulad ng Batasan, Korte Suprema, at Edsa Shrine ngayong Setyembre 20 upang igiit na ang laban kontra diktadura ay hindi lamang pag-alala sa nakaraan—ito ay laban din sa mga anyo ng pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan na nararanasan ng manggagawa sa kasalukuyan.

 

“Manggagawa laban sa diktadura, korapsyon at dinastiya!” ang paninindigan at panawagan ng PM.

 

“Ang Martial Law ay hindi dapat maging simpleng history lesson na inaalala tuwing Setyembre. Para sa manggagawa, may malinaw itong aral: kapag concentrated ang political at economic power sa iilan at mahina ang democratic institutions at organized labor, madaling maabuso ang kapangyarihan,” pahayag ni PM Chairperson Renato Magtubo.

 

Kasabay nito, bibigyang-diin ng PM sa Lakbay Pananagutan ang dalawang partikular na panawagan: “Trabahong endo at mababang sweldo ay diktadura sa manggagawa!” at “Paghadlang sa unyonismo, diktadura sa manggagawa!”

 

Ayon sa grupo, ginagamit nito ang salitang “diktadura” sa mga panawagang ito upang idiin ang kawalan ng tunay na bargaining power ng maraming manggagawa kapag insecure ang trabaho, kulang ang sahod, at nahahadlangan ang kanilang karapatang mag-organisa.

 

“Demokrasya cannot stop at the ballot box. Dapat may demokrasya rin sa workplace. Kung takot kang mawalan ng trabaho dahil contractual ka, kung kulang ang sweldo para mabuhay nang disente, o kung ang pag-uunyon ay sinasagkaan, napakaliit ng kapangyarihan ng manggagawa sa mga desisyong direktang nakakaapekto sa kanyang buhay,” ani Magtubo.

 

Para sa PM, magkaugnay ang laban kontra political dynasties at korapsyon at ang pagsusulong ng workers’ rights. Kapwa nakasentro ang mga usaping ito sa tanong kung sino ang may kapangyarihan, sino ang may boses, at sino ang nananagot.

 

“Never Again should therefore mean more than never again to Martial Law. It should also mean never again to the concentration and abuse of power, never again to attacks on democratic rights, and never again to a system where workers remain powerless despite creating the country’s wealth,” dagdag ni Magtubo.

 

Sa paggunita ng Setyembre 21, nananawagan ang PM na gawing buhay na bahagi ng pagtatanggol sa demokrasya ang regular at disenteng trabaho, living wage, malayang pag-uunyon at collective bargaining, pananagutan sa korapsyon, at mas malawak na partisipasyon ng mamamayan sa pamamahala.

 

“54 years after Martial Law, malinaw ang hamon: huwag hayaang bumalik ang awtoritaryanismo sa pulitika—at huwag hayaang manatili ang kawalan ng boses at kapangyarihan ng manggagawa sa lugar-paggawa. Manggagawa laban sa diktadura, korapsyon at dinastiya!”

PRESS RELEASE

20 September 2026

 

PM REACTION TO PBBM’s SONA

The President’s address contained many technical reports, but it failed to meaningfully address the pressing concerns of workers, such as wages, wage reform, jobs, and other labor issues—even as President Marcos acknowledged that workers and the middle class should not be forgotten.

 

The proposed expansion of tax exemptions may benefit above-minimum wage earners, but it provides no relief to minimum wage workers and those earning even less, who have long been exempt from income tax. 

 

There was also no mention of the proposed P200 legislated wage hike and the abolition of provincial rate through the enactment of the proposed National Minimum Wage Law.

 

On the issue of corruption, the President reduced it to his personal grievance and the sacrifice involved in pursuing charges against Martin Romualdez. However, his speech fell short of proposing systemic reforms such as an anti-political dynasty law and electoral reforms.

 

On lowering electricity prices, removing the systems loss charge and the VAT on it will have only a minimal impact on consumers’ bills because these account for only a small portion of total electricity costs. The 12% VAT on generation, transmission, and distribution charges remains in place. Likewise, the persistence of monopolies in the power sector and the country’s continued dependence on imported fossil fuels for energy security remain the fundamental drivers of high electricity prices.

 

While the government’s endorsement of the US-led Pax Silica initiative is expected to generate high-quality jobs, the President made no mention of its potential implications for the country’s electricity and water security, nor of the risks it poses to the existing jobs of Filipino workers in the platform economy.

PRESS STATEMENT

Partido Manggagawa

07.28.2026

Workers' reaction to SONA 2026

 

The President’s address contained many technical reports, but it failed to meaningfully address the pressing concerns of workers, such as wages, wage reform, jobs, and other labor issues—even as President Marcos acknowledged that workers and the middle class should not be forgotten.

 

The proposed expansion of tax exemptions may benefit above-minimum wage earners, but it provides no relief to minimum wage workers and those earning even less, who have long been exempt from income tax.

 

On the issue of corruption, the President reduced it to his personal grievance and the sacrifice involved in pursuing charges against Martin Romualdez. However, his speech fell short of proposing systemic reforms such as an anti-political dynasty law and electoral reforms.

 

On lowering electricity prices, removing the systems loss charge and the VAT on it will have only a minimal impact on consumers’ bills because these account for only a small portion of total electricity costs. The 12% VAT on generation, transmission, and distribution charges remains in place. Likewise, the persistence of monopolies in the power sector and the country’s continued dependence on imported fossil fuels for energy security remain the fundamental drivers of high electricity prices.

 

While the government’s endorsement of the US-led Pax Silica initiative is expected to generate high-quality jobs, the President made no mention of its potential implications for the country’s electricity and water security, nor of the risks it poses to the existing jobs of Filipino workers in the platform economy.

 

Press Statement

Partido Manggagawa

27 July 2026

To Avoid a SONA Embarrassment: Address Workers' Demands

Photo from Inquirer.net

Partido Manggagawa (PM) called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure that tomorrow's fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) does not become a "SONAkakahiya"—a play on words meaning an embarrassing SONA—by presenting both immediate and long-term solutions to the cost-of-living crisis confronting workers and the majority of Filipinos.

 

According to PM Chairperson Renato Magtubo, the government's priorities should include certifying as urgent the proposed P200 legislated wage hike and the National Minimum Wage Act, both of which are currently pending in Congress. He also called for a review of the Oil Deregulation Law, the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), and the Value-Added Tax (VAT), as well as launching reforms that would genuinely ease the economic burden on Filipino families.

 

"It would be SONAkakahiya to boast tomorrow that the Philippines has reached the World Bank's upper middle-income country (UMIC) status when workers do not feel its benefits in their daily lives," Magtubo said.

 

The labor leader, who now serves as a councilor in Marikina City, added that even the P85 wage increase granted in Metro Manila—which Malacañang described as "historic"—will simply end up paying higher Meralco electricity bills, as the country's electricity rates have now become even higher than Singapore's.

 

Magtubo also pointed to the latest Pulse Asia survey, which showed that while Filipinos primarily want to hear about the results of the government's anti-corruption campaign, a greater number of the issues they expect President Marcos to address concern prices, wages, jobs, poverty, and other economic concerns.

 

"It would truly be SONAkakahiya if nothing is said about these issues in tomorrow's SONA," Magtubo stressed.

 

The group also noted that although the same survey showed relatively low public interest (1.2%) in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, this merely reflects the public's desire to see all corrupt officials held accountable—including members of the Duterte and Marcos families, as well as other political dynasties. This, they said, is precisely what is reflected in the much higher public interest (29.8%) in the government's anti-corruption campaign.

 

"It would also be SONAkakahiya to boast about an anti-corruption campaign if it is ‘makapili’ or selective," Magtubo concluded.

 

Tomorrow, Partido Manggagawa will participate in the State of Labor Address (SOLA) to be held at the TUCP Compound under the leadership of the National Wage Coalition and the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition. The event will present the situation of Filipino workers and their demands amid the worsening cost-of-living crisis. It will be followed by a program and a march at the Elliptical Circle and along Commonwealth Avenue. 

PRESS RELEASE

Partido Manggagawa

26 July 2026

 

P200 wage hike ngayon na!

Buong suporta ang ipinapahayag ng Partido Manggagawa (PM) sa petisyon ng Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang Manggagawa (Kapatiran) para sa P200 wage increase na dininig ngayong araw ng NCR Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.

 

Sa harap ng patuloy na pagtaas ng inflation at lumalalang cost-of-living crisis, ang dating sahod ay kinain na ng pagtaas ng presyo ng pagkain, pamasahe, kuryente, upa, at iba pang pangunahing pangangailangan.

 

May peace agreement na sa Middle East, pero dito sa Pilipinas ay wala pa ring “agreement” sa usapin ng sahod. Hindi magkasundo dahil ayaw ng employers at gobyerno sa sapat at malaking dagdag-sahod na matagal nang hinihingi ng mga manggagawa.

 

Habang pinag-uusapan kung magkano lang ang kayang ibigay sa mga manggagawa, ang presyo ng mga bilihin ay parang missiles na walang tigil ang lipad—sunod-sunod ang pagsirit at walang pinipiling tamaan. Ang tunay na epekto nito ay gutom, pangungutang, at patuloy na paghihigpit ng sinturon ng mga pamilyang manggagawa.

 

Ang P200 wage increase ay kinakailangang hakbang upang maibsan ang mabilis na pagbagsak ng purchasing power ng sahod. Ang ekonomiya ay hindi uunlad kung ang mismong mga lumilikha ng yaman ay patuloy na binabarat.

 

Panahon na ring talikuran ang mali at konserbatibong pananaw na ang disenteng umento sa sahod ay katumbas ng tanggalan. 

 

Maraming pag-aaral ang nagpapakitang ang mas mataas na kita ng mga manggagawa ay nagpapalakas ng domestic demand at nagpapasigla sa lokal na ekonomiya. Ang solusyon ay pagsamahin ang makabuluhang wage increase at isang industrial at employment strategy na lilikha ng marami at de-kalidad na trabaho.

 

Malapit na ang State of the Nation Address (SONA). Ngunit walang laman ang anumang pahayag tungkol sa pag-unlad kung wala itong kasamang makabuluhang wage hike at seryosong programa sa employment. Hindi magiging kumpleto ang SONA kung hindi sasagutin ang pinakamabigat na tanong ng milyun-milyong manggagawang Pilipino: Paano mabubuhay nang disente ang isang pamilyang ang sahod ay mas mababa pa sa poverty threshold?

 

Panahon na para pakinggan ang panawagan ng mga manggagawa: P200 wage hike ngayon na!

 

Partido Manggagawa

18 June 2026

PM Suportado ang Panawagang ₱200 Dagdag-Sahod sa NCR

 

Suportado ng Partido Manggagawa (PM) ang petisyon ng Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang Manggagawa o Kapatiran para sa ₱200 dagdag sa arawang sahod ng mga manggagawa sa National Capital Region (NCR), kasabay ng panawagan sa Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board na agarang aksyunan ito sa harap ng tumitinding krisis sa kabuhayan. 

 

Sa harap ito ng isinagawang public consultation ng NCR Regional Wage Board kaugnay ng mga petisyon sa dagdag sahod.

 

Ayon sa PM, ang hinihinging dagdag-sahod ay hindi luho kundi kinakailangang hakbang upang maibalik ang nawalang halaga ng sahod dahil sa mabilis na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis, pagkain, kuryente, at pamasahe bunsod ng kaguluhan sa Gitnang Silangan.

 

“Ang ₱200 wage hike ay hindi sobra. Ito ay pagbawi lamang sa nawalang halaga ng sahod ng manggagawa matapos ang sunud-sunod na taas-presyo. Nagkaputukan sa Middle East, nagtaasan ang presyo sa Pilipinas, pero ang minimum wage earners ay pinabayaang magtiis,” pahayag ni Renato Magtubo, chairperson ng Partido Manggagawa. 

 

“Under attack ang kabuhayan ng manggagawa kaya dapat mabilis ang tugon ng wage board. Kapag mabilis tumaas ang presyo, dapat mabilis din ang dagdag-sahod.”

 

Ipinaliwanag ng PM na ang kasalukuyang minimum wage na ₱695 sa NCR ay hindi na sapat upang tugunan ang araw-araw na gastusin ng isang pamilyang manggagawa. Batay sa consumer price index (CPI) ng NCR na nasa 131.2 noong Abril, bumagsak na sa humigit-kumulang ₱530 ang tunay na halaga ng minimum wage, katumbas ng mahigit ₱165 wage loss kada araw. Dagdag pa rito, tinatayang mahigit ₱1,200 kada araw ang kinakailangan ng isang pamilyang may limang miyembro upang mabuhay nang disente sa NCR.

 

Binigyang-diin din ng Partido Manggagawa na ang pagtaas ng sahod ay hindi lamang usapin ng social justice kundi isang makatuwirang patakarang pang-ekonomiya. Anila, ang mas mataas na kita ng manggagawa ay direktang napupunta sa konsumo tulad ng pagkain, transportasyon, edukasyon, at iba pang pangunahing pangangailangan, na nagpapalakas sa lokal na negosyo at ekonomiya. “Ang manggagawa ay hindi lamang producer kundi konsyumer din. Kapag may kakayahan silang gumastos, umiikot ang ekonomiya, lumalago ang negosyo, at dumarami ang trabaho,” ani Magtubo.

 

Sa huli, nanawagan ang Partido Manggagawa sa wage board na dinggin ang hinaing ng milyun-milyong manggagawa at ipagkaloob ang ₱200 dagdag-sahod bilang makatarungan at agarang tugon sa krisis sa kabuhayan. “Hindi limos ang hinihingi ng manggagawa. Ang hinihingi niya ay living wage na nakasaad mismo sa Konstitusyon—isang sahod na magbibigay dignidad sa kanyang buhay at sa kanyang pamilya,” pagtatapos ni Magtubo.

Photos at https://www.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa/posts/pfbid0M9Z9hJdzjb9koxNBL4jbFoGxFVHKHQBADZS5Qno4MfnxV6JgLK8g9d1J9q9EgB6pl

PRESS RELEASE

Partido Manggagawa 

22 May 2026

Reforms along with impeachment—Partido Manggagawa

The House of Representatives, by an overwhelming vote of 255, has impeached Vice President Sara Duterte. For the second time, the Senate is obligated to convene as an impeachment court and place the impeached official on trial. Walang lusot dito—sino mang liderato man ang maupo sa Senado.

But if the recent Senate coup was engineered precisely to delay or derail this process, including shielding political allies from accountability such as the ICC issue, then it only exposes a deeper institutional crisis. Lalabas na hindi lamang si Sara Duterte ang dapat sumailalim sa paglilitis—kailangan din ng Senado na maglinis ng sarili. An institution that evades accountability loses the moral authority to judge others.

The same challenge applies to the House of Representatives. Hindi dapat matapos sa impeachment ang usapin ng pananagutan. Kung seryoso ang Kamara sa “self-cleansing,” kailangan nitong ipasa ang Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, ang mga nakabinbing P200 wage hike bill, at ang abolition of provincial wage rates na matagal nang nagpapahirap sa manggagawa. At marami pang ibang mahalagang social legislation.

Sayang ang impeachment kung hindi matutuloy at kung walang kasabay na reporma.

Accountability without structural change risks becoming mere spectacle.

Ang tunay na paglilinis ng gobyerno ay hindi lang pagpapanagot sa indibidwal na opisyal kundi pagwawasto din sa mga problemang istruktural katulad ng dinastiya, katiwalian, at anti-poor policies.

MEDIA STATEMENT

Partido Manggagawa

Prices surge, but wages remain frozen

Partido Manggagawa (PM) criticized the government’s inaction on workers’ demand for a wage increase amid the spike in inflation to 7.2% this April from 4.1% in March.

 

“Prices of goods have been jumping sharply. But while BBM may have jumped to show he is physically fit, in reality the President is paralyzed when it comes to pushing for wage increases for workers,” said Renato Magtubo, PM Chairperson.

 

According to Magtubo, the surge in inflation this April will further worsen the erosion of the current minimum wage. The ₱695 minimum wage in the NCR has already lost ₱156 in value in the past month.

 

“Workers are already war-shocked by price hikes and bill shock. But even more shocking is the inaction of Malacañang and Congress on wage increases. There is a state of emergency, but the response is anything but urgent,” Magtubo added.

 

It can be recalled that workers gained no wage increase despite the widespread protests during the recent Labor Day.

 

PM reiterated its call for a ₱200 wage hike and for lowering prices by removing regressive taxes such as VAT on critical goods like oil and electricity.

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

 

Hataw ang presyo pero sweldo walang galaw

 

Binatikos ng Partido Manggagawa (PM) ang kawalang aksyon ng pamahalaan sa kahilingan ng manggagawa sa dagdag-sweldo sa harap ng pagsirit ng inflation rate paakyat sa 7.2% ngayong Abril mula sa 4.1% noong Marso. 

 

“Naglundagan na paitaas ang presyo ng bilihin. Pero kung nakisabay lumundag si BBM para ipakitang healthy ang pangangatawan, sa realidad ay paralisado ang Pangulo sa pagtulak na dagdagan ang sweldo ng mga manggagawa,” pahayag ni Renato Magtubo, Tagapagulo ng PM. 

 

Ayon kay Magtubo, ang pagsirit ng implasyon ngayon Abril ay lalo lang magpapalaki sa wage erosion ng kasalukuyang minimum wage. Ang P695 na minimum wage dito sa NCR ay nabawasan na ng P156 sa nakaraang buwan. 

 

“Na-warshock na ang manggagawa ang price hikes at bill shock. Pero mas shocking ang kawalang aksyon ng Palasyo at Kongreso sa wage hike. May state of emergency pero hindi naman emergency ang kilos,” ani Magtubo.

 

Matatandaang walang napalang umento ang manggagawa sa kabila ng malawakang protesta sa nagdaang Mayo Uno. 

 

Muling iginiit ng PM ang panawagang P200 wage hike at pagpababa sa presyo sa pamamagitan ng pagtanggal ng regressive taxes tulad ng VAT sa kritikal na produkto tulad ng langis at kuryente.

PRESS RELEASE

Partido Manggagawa

Workers are the ones subsidizing government and business—Partido Manggagawa

 

“Workers are the ones providing subsidies to both government and business, yet we are the last ones to receive benefits and services,” stated Partido Manggagawa (PM) on the eve of Labor Day, countering the prevailing narrative that it is the government that subsidizes the poor.

 

“There are various forms of limited and patronage-based assistance, but the funds for these ultimately come from workers themselves. Even corporate profit, after taxes, is derived from labor. Everything comes from workers, yet BBM’s response to us this Labor Day is silence—we are being ghosted,” protested PM Chair Renato Magtubo.

 

Magtubo further explained that, as consumers, millions of workers pay regressive taxes such as excise taxes and value-added tax (VAT) multiple times on the goods and services they purchase. As metered customers of Meralco and other distribution utilities, they effectively subsidize the electricity bills of poorer households. As income earners, they pay personal income taxes once they exceed the exemption threshold. And as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), they remit billions of dollars to support their families’ consumption.

 

Labor groups are demanding a ₱200 wage increase and the enactment of a national minimum wage law. However, Malacañang and business groups continue to uphold a policy of wage restraint despite a ₱155 erosion in the real value of the minimum wage in the National Capital Region (NCR).

 

PM, under the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, will join the National Wage Coalition in a unified WELGA march tomorrow morning, beginning at Welcome Rotonda and España Boulevard and proceeding to Mendiola. WELGA stands for: Wage Hike Now Toward a National Living Wage; Eliminate E-VAT and Review Income Tax; Impose Taxes on Excess Wealth and Profits; Make Prices Affordable; and Arrest All Corrupt Officials.

 

The Labor Day protests are nationwide. In Cebu, around 1,000 members of PM and SENTRO will assemble at 8:00 a.m. at Sto. Rosario Church before proceeding to Metro Gaisano on Colon Street. The group will then join other labor organizations for a joint program at Fuente Osmeña at approximately 10:00 a.m. In Bacolod, the PM chapter will hold an indoor assembly from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m., followed by a march along San Juan Street corner Gonzaga Street, and then proceed to Bacolod Plaza for a joint program with other workers’ groups. In Iloilo, PM will join United Labor in a march starting from the flyover in front of UP Visayas at 3:00 p.m., proceeding to the Iloilo Provincial Capitol for a program lasting until 5:00 p.m.

 

PM is also advancing an anti-war position, asserting that the United States–Israel alliance must be held accountable for its war of aggression against Iran and its impact on the global economy. Meanwhile, on the issue of corruption, PM Secretary General Judy Miranda emphasized that the struggle for good governance remains integral to labor’s advocacy, alongside urgent economic concerns such as wages and employment.

 

“All corrupt officials must be jailed, whether from the Duterte camp or the Marcos camp. Sure, bring down Sara—but also bring down the prices of basic goods,” Miranda stated.

PRESS RELEASE

Partido Manggagawa

May 1, 2026

HINDI KAMI MULTO: Workers are the ones subsidizing the government and business

 

“Manggagawa ang totoong nagbibigay ng subsidy sa gobyerno at negosyo subalit pinakahuli sa benepisyo at serbisyo,” stated Partido Manggagawa (PM) on the eve Labor Day, countering the prevailing narrative that it is the government that provides subsidy to the poor.

 

“May iba’t-ibang klase ng limitado at patronage na ayuda, pero galing din naman sa manggagawa ang pondo sa mga ito. Kahit ang yaman ng mga korporasyon, after taxes, ay sa labor din galing. Lahat ay galing sa manggagawa, pero ghosting ang tugon ni BBM sa amin ngayong Labor Day,” PM Chair Renato Magtubo protested.

 

Magtubo explained further that as consumers, millions of workers pay regressive taxes like excise and VAT multiple times for manufactured goods and services they purchase. As metered customers of Meralco and other distribution utilities, they are made to subsidize the power bills of their poorer neighbors. As income earners, they pay personal income taxes once the exemption level is breached. And as OFWs, they remit billions of dollars for their families to spend.  

 

Labor groups are demanding for a P200 wage hike and the enactment of the national minimum wage bill, but Malacañang and business groups maintain a policy of wage restraint despite a ₱155 erosion of the minimum wage in NCR.

 

Partido Manggagawa under the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition is joining other labor groups under the National Wage Coalition tomorrow morning, for a WELGA unified march from Welcome Rotonda and España Boulevard going to Mediola. PM members will also join the nationwide protests particularly in the cities of Cebu, Bacolod, and Iloilo.

 

WELGA stands for Wage Hike Now Tungo National Living Wage, E-VAT Tanggalin Income Tax Repasuhin, Lagyan ng Buwis ang Sobrang Yaman at Kita, Gawing Abot Kaya ang Presyo, and Arestuhin Lahat ng Kurakot.

 

PM is also taking an anti-war call, saying it is the US-Israel tandem which should be held accountable for their war of aggression on Iran and its impact on the global economy.

 

Meanwhile, on the issue of corruption, PM Secretary General Judy Miranda said the fight for good governance will always be a part of labor’s advocacy, along with topmost and urgent economic concerns like wages and jobs.

 

“Ikulong ang lahat ng korap, Duterte camp man yan o Marcos. Pababain si Sara, pero pababain din ang presyo ng mga bilihin,” Miranda said. ###

Labor group asks BBM to ok wage petitions

 

The group Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang Manggagawa today called on President Bong Bong Marcos, Jr. to exercise moral suasion on the regional wage boards to immediately act on pending salary adjustment petitions. Yesterday, Kapatiran filed a petition for a P200 wage hike at the NCR wage board. Last March 27, a coalition of labor groups led by Partido Manggagawa and Sentro ng mga Progresibo at Nagkakaisang Manggagawa filed a similar petition for a P100 salary increase in Central Visayas. Next week, another alliance plans to submit a petition for a wage adjustment for Western Visayas workers.

 

“President Marcos, Jr., the P30 reduction in the price of LPG is not enough. Workers need a P200 wage hike. With great power comes great responsibility. Use your emergency powers to help workers. What kind of state of emergency is this if there are no ambulances for wage earners?” stated Rey Almendras, president of the group Kapatiran and also of the Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Labor Union.

 

The wave of wage petitions foreshadows the suite of demands in the coming Labor Day protests next week. Aside from a wage hike, Labor Day demands include higher assistance for informal workers, improved public employment program, suspension of the excise tax on oil, abolition of the vat on oil and electricity, review of the oil deregulation law and electricity privatization, state-led renewable energy program and a stop to the US-Israel war on Iran. There are Labor Day marches planned in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Bacolod and Iloilo by the group Partido Manggagawa in alliance with other labor organizations. Kapatiran is joining the planned Labor Day protest in Metro Manila.

 

Almendras insisted that “Lahat na nagtaas pero ang sweldo napako. Tama na. Sobra na. Umento na! High inflation due to the war on Iran constitutes a supervening event that necessitates the P200 wage hike. The government’s own data—from the Philippine Statistics Authority—reveals that the current P695 minimum wage in Metro Manila has an effective real value of only P539.18, representing a loss of P155.82 since 2018. We are not really asking for a wage hike but simply wage recovery.”

 

“The seriousness of the current economic conditions has been formally acknowledged by the National Security Council, which has declared that the Philippines is facing a socio-economic crisis. Sapat na itong batayan para sa deklarasyon ng supervening event,” Almendras argued. It is still two months before the lapse of one year after the last NCR wage order.

 

Photos of filing at PM FB: https://www.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa/ 

April 24, 2026

Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang Manggagawa

Workers are the ones subsidizing government and business—Partido Manggagawa

 

“Workers are the ones providing subsidies to both government and business, yet we are the last ones to receive benefits and services,” stated Partido Manggagawa (PM) on the eve of Labor Day, countering the prevailing narrative that it is the government that subsidizes the poor.

 

“There are various forms of limited and patronage-based assistance, but the funds for these ultimately come from workers themselves. Even corporate profit, after taxes, is derived from labor. Everything comes from workers, yet BBM’s response to us this Labor Day is silence—we are being ghosted,” protested PM Chair Renato Magtubo.

 

Magtubo further explained that, as consumers, millions of workers pay regressive taxes such as excise taxes and value-added tax (VAT) multiple times on the goods and services they purchase. As metered customers of Meralco and other distribution utilities, they effectively subsidize the electricity bills of poorer households. As income earners, they pay personal income taxes once they exceed the exemption threshold. And as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), they remit billions of dollars to support their families’ consumption.

 

Labor groups are demanding a ₱200 wage increase and the enactment of a national minimum wage law. However, Malacañang and business groups continue to uphold a policy of wage restraint despite a ₱155 erosion in the real value of the minimum wage in the National Capital Region (NCR).

 

PM, under the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, will join the National Wage Coalition in a unified WELGA march tomorrow morning, beginning at Welcome Rotonda and España Boulevard and proceeding to Mendiola. WELGA stands for: Wage Hike Now Toward a National Living Wage; Eliminate E-VAT and Review Income Tax; Impose Taxes on Excess Wealth and Profits; Make Prices Affordable; and Arrest All Corrupt Officials.

 

The Labor Day protests are nationwide. In Cebu, around 1,000 members of PM and SENTRO will assemble at 8:00 a.m. at Sto. Rosario Church before proceeding to Metro Gaisano on Colon Street. The group will then join other labor organizations for a joint program at Fuente Osmeña at approximately 10:00 a.m. In Bacolod, the PM chapter will hold an indoor assembly from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m., followed by a march along San Juan Street corner Gonzaga Street, and then proceed to Bacolod Plaza for a joint program with other workers’ groups. In Iloilo, PM will join United Labor in a march starting from the flyover in front of UP Visayas at 3:00 p.m., proceeding to the Iloilo Provincial Capitol for a program lasting until 5:00 p.m.

 

PM is also advancing an anti-war position, asserting that the United States–Israel alliance must be held accountable for its war of aggression against Iran and its impact on the global economy. Meanwhile, on the issue of corruption, PM Secretary General Judy Miranda emphasized that the struggle for good governance remains integral to labor’s advocacy, alongside urgent economic concerns such as wages and employment.

 

“All corrupt officials must be jailed, whether from the Duterte camp or the Marcos camp. Remove Sara from office—but also bring down the prices of basic goods,” Miranda stated. 

 

PRESS RELEASE

Partido Manggagawa

May 1, 2026

Stop the U.S.–Israel War on Iran! Defend Working People Everywhere!

Photo from Philippine Star

We condemn the imperialist assault launched by the United States and Israel against Iran, a deadly offensive that has already killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other civilians and leaders, and sparked tit-for-tat strikes across the region.

 

This war is not about peace — it is about power, profit, and dominance. Imperialist aggression and regime change have been hallmarks of U.S. foreign policy for decades, from Iraq, Libya, and Syria to Venezuela and Cuba. Each intervention leaves behind devastation, displacement, and deeper instability.

 

Filipino workers—especially the more than 2 million OFWs in the Middle East whose livelihoods depend on jobs far from home—stand to gain nothing from these wars except uncertainty, rising violence, and possible loss of work. In the face of escalating airstrikes and regional tensions, the Philippine government has rightly activated safety measures and contingency plans to protect Filipinos in the region.

 

The death of a reactionary figure like Khamenei does not herald peace. U.S. and Israeli policymakers have openly pursued regime change and military dominance as strategic goals. Such policies have inflamed conflicts, deepened suffering, and fueled cycles of retaliation that only benefit military contractors, oil interests, and geopolitical elites.

 

We join peace-loving workers and peoples around the world to resist every war of aggression. True peace is achieved by uprooting the systems that profit from endless war—not by toppling one regime or another.

 

We call on President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to take a principled stand against the joint U.S.–Israel military offensive and reject the logic of imperialist intervention. At the same time, we demand that the government provide urgent support and safe, voluntary repatriation for all overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East while safe passage remains possible.

 

No to imperialist wars!
Yes to international working-class solidarity, peace, and self-determination!

 

Partido Manggagawa
1 March 2026

EDSA Is Not the Final Stop for the Working Class

The People Power uprising at EDSA was not the final stop for the working class. This was according to Partido Manggagawa (PM), whose members participated in today’s commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the EDSA People Power under the banner of Siklab and the Trillion Peso March Movement (TPMM).

 

“The spirit of people power must be sustained and further strengthened because it remains the way to achieve genuine democracy that has been smashed up by perennial corruption and dynastic rule,” said Renato Magtubo, Chairperson of PM.

 

Magtubo added: “There can be no decent jobs without a decent government, and reform is meaningless if it does not lead to systemic change.”

 

PM is with TPMM in demanding accountability against all corrupt officials and in pushing for an end to political dynasties and oligarchic control of the economy.

 

He explained that over the past 40 years, successive administrations merely shared responsibility in neglecting the problems of poverty and inequality due to neoliberal policies that favored capitalists over workers, such as labor-only contracting (endo) and cheap wages under the provincial rate system.

 

“The result: the economy grew, but the lives of workers remained below the poverty level. Labor productivity increased by 71%, yet workers’ real wages rose by only 5%. Between 2000 and 2020, the Philippines lagged behind the rest of ASEAN in terms of real minimum wage growth,” Magtubo added.

 

On her part, PM Secretary General Judy Miranda said the spirit of people power must also remain alive among women in order to attain greater freedoms, as they continue to bear heavy burdens in life.

 

She noted that a significant portion of the working-age female population are “fulltime nanays”, while those who are employed face wage gaps and harassment. At home, women carry the responsibilities of childcare and education, food provision, and healthcare.

 

“We thus reiterate our call that all those involved in corruption must be held accountable because the funds stolen from the public treasury should have been utilized for services that women and children need,” Miranda said.

 

Following the commemoration of EDSA People Power, women’s groups are now preparing for the celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8. 

 

Photos can be accessed at FB: Partido Manggagawa

PRESS RELEASE

Partido Manggagawa

25 February 2026

EDSA Is Not the Final Stop for the Working Class

Photo from Inquirer.net

And Edsa ay Hindi Tapos na Pasada para sa Uring Manggagawa

Ang People Power na naganap sa Edsa ay hindi tapos na pasada. Ayon ito sa Partido Manggagawa (PM) na lalahok bukas kasama ng Trillion Peso March Movement (TPMM) sa buong araw na paggunita ng Ika-40 Anibersaryo ng Edsa People Power.

“Kailangang manatili at palakasin pa ang diwa ng people power dahil ito pa rin ang paraan upang makamit ang tunay na demokrasya na sinalaula ng korapsyon at paghaharing dinastiya,” pahayag ni Renato Magtubo, Tagapangulo ng PM. 

Dagdag pa ni Magtubo: “Walang disenteng trabaho kung walang disenteng gobyerno at hindi makabuluhan ang reporma kung hindi tutungo sa pagbabago ng sistema.”

Sa nakalipas na 40 taon ay nag-ambagan lang umano sa pagpapabaya sa problema ng kahirapan at inekwalidad ang ibat-ibang administrasyon dahil sa neoliberal na mga polisiyang ipinatupad na mas pabor sa kapitalista kaysa sa manggagawa katulad ng endo at provincial rate na sweldo. 

“Resulta: Lumago ang ekonomiya subalit naiwan sa ilalim poverty level ang buhay ng manggagawa. Umangat ng 71% ang labor productivity pero ang real wage ng manggagawa ay napako sa 5% lamang. Sa pagitan ng 2000-2020, kulelat ang Pilipinas sa pagtaas ng real minimum wage sa buong ASEAN,” dagdag pa ni Magtubo.

Ayon naman kay Judy Miranda, Secretary General ng PM, people power din ang diwa na dapat manatili sa hanay ng kababaihan para makamit ang mas maraming kalayaan dahil nananatiling mabigat ang dala nilang pasanin sa buhay.

Malaking bahagi ng working age population ng kababaihan ay mga full time nanay, habang sa mga may trabaho ay kaharap naman nila ang problema ng wage gap at harassment, habang sa tahanan ay karga ang problema sa pag-aalaga at edukasyon ng mga bata, pagkain, at healthcare. 

“Nararapat lang managot lahat ng sangkot sa kurakot dahil ang pondong ninanakaw sa kabang bayan ay dapat para sa serbisyong kailangan ng kababaihan,” pahayag ni Miranda. 

Pagkatapos ng komemorasyon ng Edsa People Power ay naghahanda naman umano ang hanay ng kababaihan para sa selebrasyon ng International Women’s Day sa March 8. ###

PRESS RELEASE

24 February 2026

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

EDSA Is Not the Final Stop for the Working Class

The People Power uprising at EDSA was not the final stop for the working class. This was the statement of Partido Manggagawa (PM), which will participate tomorrow with the Trillion Peso March Movement (TPMM) in the whole-day commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the EDSA People Power.

“The spirit of people power must be sustained and further strengthened because it remains the way to achieve genuine democracy that has been desecrated by corruption and dynastic rule,” said Renato Magtubo, Chairperson of PM.

Magtubo added: “There can be no decent jobs without a decent government, and reform is meaningless if it does not lead to systemic change.”

Over the past 40 years, successive administrations merely shared responsibility in neglecting the problems of poverty and inequality due to neoliberal policies that favored capitalists over workers, such as labor-only contracting (endo) and cheap labor policies.

“The result: the economy grew, but the lives of workers remained below the poverty level. Labor productivity increased by 71%, yet workers’ real wages rose by only 5%. Between 2000 and 2020, the Philippines lagged behind the rest of ASEAN in terms of real minimum wage growth,” Magtubo added.

According to Judy Miranda, PM Secretary General, the spirit of people power must also remain alive among women in order to attain greater freedoms, as they continue to bear heavy burdens in life.

She noted that a significant portion of the working-age female population are “fulltime nanays”, while those who are employed face wage gaps and harassment. At home, women carry the responsibilities of childcare and education, food provision, and healthcare.

“All those involved in corruption must be held accountable because the funds stolen from the public treasury should be used for services that women need,” Miranda said.

Following the commemoration of EDSA People Power, women’s groups are now preparing for the celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8. ###

Labor year ender 2025: Workers faced corruption and affordability issues

 

Twenty three typhoons hit the country in 2025, of which Tino was the most damaging in terms of loss of lives. Millions were affected by the heavy flooding in many areas due to the frequent typhoons and rains. This contrasted with the boast of President Bongbong Marcos in his State of the Nation Address about more than 5,000 flood control projects implemented by his administration. The disconnect between expectation and reality unleashed a perfect storm of outrage over the corruption attending ghost or substandard flood control projects.

 

The controversy sparked back-to-back massive rallies on September 21 and November 30. While the November protests were smaller in the NCR compared to that of September, it was, however, more widespread with many cities holding activities. The anger over corruption cut across different classes but much of the energy for the mass actions came from students. In this, the Philippines had parallels to movements in Indonesia and Nepal with symbols like One Piece and triggers like nepo babies. The Catholic Church was also a key coordinator of the movement aside from a major mobilizer of protesters. In this, the Philippines differed from other anti-corruption protests elsewhere.

 

The year ended with no one found guilty for the multi-billion flood control scandal. While several millions and a few luxury cars have been returned to the national treasury, such are a drop in the bucket compared to the P546 billion spent for almost 10,000 ineffective flood control projects from July 2022 to May 2025.

 

The explosion of corruption controversy sparked a political crisis for the administration, with presidential cousin House Speaker Martin Romualdez resigning. The chief of the armed forces exposed alleged attempts to entice generals to withdraw their support for the administration amid the anti-corruption mass actions. The political infighting between the president and vice president escalated even as both were embroiled in their own corruption scandals. For many Filipinos, the polarization is along dynastic lines, not economic class or political ideology.

 

Even though workers joined the anti-corruption protests, they did so as individuals and not as an organized force. Unions did take the initiative in calling for an anti-corruption protest in Makati in early November. Workers in the formal sector disproportionately contribute taxes to the public coffers so they should be among the most affected by leakage and waste in the national budget. Further, workers, both formal and informal, bear the brunt of the impact of climate change—from loss of pay due to typhoons to extreme heat in the workplace. And yet, for workers, pervasive outrage over corruption has yet to be expressed as visible protest.

 

While traditional workers’ issues such as wage hikes and labor contractualization remain pressing concerns, popular struggles have yet to erupt, unlike the anti-corruption protests. Filipinos faced their own affordability crisis as exemplified in the pervasive indignation over Department of Trade and Industry’s provocative P500 budget for a noche buena. The controversy expressed the popular perception that wages and income for ordinary Filipinos have not coped up with inflation.

 

The affordability crisis sustained organized labor’s campaign for a legislated wage hike. At the last minute, labor’s demand succeeded led to the House of Representatives passing a P200 bill which however conflicted with a P100 version in the Senate, which had been pending since 2024. The House and Senate did not reconcile the two wage bills and thus workers were again left with nothing as Congress closed to give way to the newly elected one.

 

In the wake of the defeat of the legislated salary increase, regional wage boards ordered minimum wage hikes ranging from P20 to P60 in the latter half of 2025. Yet, the highest monthly minimum wage in Metro Manila—using the mean of 22 workdays—is still less than half of the Asia Floor Wage Alliance’s estimate of P36,200 living wage based on a 3,000-calorie daily diet per adult. Moreover, the minimum wage in all regions fall below the government’s own poverty threshold. This means that minimum wage earners are working poor. It was thus no surprise that Filipinos flared up in disbelief when authorities insisted that P500 was enough to cover a simple Christmas feast.

 

Inflation will persist into 2026 and will erode the purchasing power of formal and informal workers. High oil prices will be sustained by the war by Russia in Ukraine and a new one brewing in Venezuela by the US. Meanwhile climate change will continue to disrupt agricultural and manufacturing supply chains, pushing production costs up.  Thus, affordability and corruption will remain hot button concerns for workers in 2026. Workers will need to scale up their game if they want change to happen next year.

 

How can officials, legislators and contractors be held accountable for the multibillion-peso corruption in flood control projects? How can this happen under the current administration which is alleged to be complicit in the scandal? This continues to be a challenge for the anti-corruption movement.

 

How can workers surmount their doubts about the efficacy of collective action? Can labor groups inspire and mobilize the millions of unorganized workers to fight for popular demands like a wage hike and regular jobs? This remains the question for the labor movement.

 

As the anti-corruption protests show, only visible mass actions in the streets, not noise on social media, can nudge the government to do something. As protests elsewhere bare, only sustained mass struggles can bring about systemic change. Surveys reveal that Filipinos are hoping for better times in 2026. To make those hopes real, we need to make collective action among our new year’s resolutions. 

31 December 2025

Pakikiisa sa Trillion Peso March Movement Nationwide Rallies

Walang ginhawa sa patuloy na pagnanakaw sa bayan. Ito ang araw-araw na reyalidad na kinakaharap ng kabataan mula Luzon, Visayas, at Mindanao.

 

Ang Samahan ng Kabataang Lumalaban (SKL), kasama ang iba pang youth and people’s organizations sa Trillion Peso March Movement, ay muling lalabas sa lansangan upang ipahayag na sobra na, tama na ang sistematikong korapsyon na sumisira sa buhay at hanapbuhay ng mga Pilipino. Mula sa bilyon-bilyong insertions, ghost projects, confidential funds, hanggang sa kawalan ng hustisya, isang larawan ang malinaw: matagal nang ninanakaw ang pondo ng bayan at paulit-ulit na isinasakripisyo ang kinabukasan ng kabataan.

 

Mga Panawagan

 

Panagutin ang lahat ng opisyal na sangkot sa korapsyon. Hindi sapat ang pa-imbestigasyon at press release; kailangan ng malinaw na kaso, malinaw na proseso, at malinaw na pananagutan. Hindi dapat maging ligtas ang sinuman kanila Marcos, Duterte, o anumang pulitikal na dinastiya na nagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan ay dapat managot sa taumbayan!

 

Panagutin si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at dapat niyang harapin ang mga alegasyon laban sa kanya at panagutan ang kabiguan niyang tugisin at ikulong ang mga tiwaling opisyal.

 

Litisin si Vice President Sara Duterte sa kanyang confidential funds at kapalpakan bilang DepEd Secretary na hindi nakapagtawid ng pampublikong serbisyo para sa mga mag-aaral at guro.

 

Panagutin si Zaldy Co, kasama ng iba lang mga tiwaling opisyal at nasa ahensya ng gobyerno na sangkot sa katiwalian. Bilang arkitekto ng mga insertions, may obligasyon siyang bumalik, magtestigo, at papanagutin ang sarili.

 

Ipasa ang Anti-Political Dynasty Bill! Wakasan ang sistema ng pulitika na iilan lang na pamilya at nakikinabang at sumisira sa pamahalaan ng bayan.

 

Isabatas ang transparency at accountability measures. Isapubliko at gawing tunay na independent ang Independent Commission on Infrastructure upang kilatisin at panagutin ang mga sangkot sa sistema ng korapsyon sa bansa. Walang tiwala sa mga sikretong maniobra.

 

Sa lahat ng isyu na ito, hinihikayat namin ang bawat Pilipino, lalo ang kabataan, na manindigan at makiisa. Ngayong November 30, tayo'y magkapit-bisig mula sa iba't ibang sulok ng bansa para ipanawagan ang katarungan para sa mga sinalanta ng bagyo at katiwalian, at tayo na ninakawan ng kinabukasan.

 

Sa Metro Manila, magsasagawa ang kabataan ng martsa mula Temple Drive, Quezon City nang 7:30 AM, patungong EDSA People Power Monument, bilang bahagi ng Trillion Peso March. Ginagawa rin ito kasabay ng higit 100 aktibidad sa labas ng Metro Manila, na pinangungunahan ng mga komunidad na direktang tinatamaan ng bagyo, pagbaha, at korapsyon sa flood control.

 

Ang buwis ng mamamayan ay para sa mamamayan at hindi para sa bulsa ng iilan. Palitang ang bulok na sistema ng pulitika para sa interes ng Panahon na para palakasin ang serbisyo publiko at tunay na magbigay ng ginhawa sa buhay ng Pilipino. ###

  

Walang ginhawa sa patuloy na pagnanakaw sa bayan. Ito ang araw-araw na reyalidad na kinakaharap ng kabataan mula Luzon, Visayas, at Mindanao.

 

Ang Samahan ng Kabataang Lumalaban (SKL), kasama ang iba pang youth and people’s organizations sa Trillion Peso March Movement, ay muling lalabas sa lansangan upang ipahayag na sobra na, tama na ang sistematikong korapsyon na sumisira sa buhay at hanapbuhay ng mga Pilipino. Mula sa bilyon-bilyong insertions, ghost projects, confidential funds, hanggang sa kawalan ng hustisya, isang larawan ang malinaw: matagal nang ninanakaw ang pondo ng bayan at paulit-ulit na isinasakripisyo ang kinabukasan ng kabataan.

 

Mga Panawagan

 

Panagutin ang lahat ng opisyal na sangkot sa korapsyon. Hindi sapat ang pa-imbestigasyon at press release; kailangan ng malinaw na kaso, malinaw na proseso, at malinaw na pananagutan. Hindi dapat maging ligtas ang sinuman kanila Marcos, Duterte, o anumang pulitikal na dinastiya na nagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan ay dapat managot sa taumbayan!

 

Panagutin si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at dapat niyang harapin ang mga alegasyon laban sa kanya at panagutan ang kabiguan niyang tugisin at ikulong ang mga tiwaling opisyal.

 

Litisin si Vice President Sara Duterte sa kanyang confidential funds at kapalpakan bilang DepEd Secretary na hindi nakapagtawid ng pampublikong serbisyo para sa mga mag-aaral at guro.

 

Panagutin si Zaldy Co, kasama ng iba lang mga tiwaling opisyal at nasa ahensya ng gobyerno na sangkot sa katiwalian. Bilang arkitekto ng mga insertions, may obligasyon siyang bumalik, magtestigo, at papanagutin ang sarili.

 

Ipasa ang Anti-Political Dynasty Bill! Wakasan ang sistema ng pulitika na iilan lang na pamilya at nakikinabang at sumisira sa pamahalaan ng bayan.

 

Isabatas ang transparency at accountability measures. Isapubliko at gawing tunay na independent ang Independent Commission on Infrastructure upang kilatisin at panagutin ang mga sangkot sa sistema ng korapsyon sa bansa. Walang tiwala sa mga sikretong maniobra.

 

Sa lahat ng isyu na ito, hinihikayat namin ang bawat Pilipino, lalo ang kabataan, na manindigan at makiisa. Ngayong November 30, tayo'y magkapit-bisig mula sa iba't ibang sulok ng bansa para ipanawagan ang katarungan para sa mga sinalanta ng bagyo at katiwalian, at tayo na ninakawan ng kinabukasan.

 

Sa Metro Manila, magsasagawa ang kabataan ng martsa mula Temple Drive, Quezon City nang 7:30 AM, patungong EDSA People Power Monument, bilang bahagi ng Trillion Peso March. Ginagawa rin ito kasabay ng higit 100 aktibidad sa labas ng Metro Manila, na pinangungunahan ng mga komunidad na direktang tinatamaan ng bagyo, pagbaha, at korapsyon sa flood control.

 

Ang buwis ng mamamayan ay para sa mamamayan at hindi para sa bulsa ng iilan. Palitang ang bulok na sistema ng pulitika para sa interes ng Panahon na para palakasin ang serbisyo publiko at tunay na magbigay ng ginhawa sa buhay ng Pilipino.

PRESS STATEMENT

Samahan ng Kabataang Lumalaban