Akbayan disqualification is hypocritical, says labor party

Press Release

October 5, 2012

The Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) today decried as “hypocritical” the move by Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and its allied organizations to disqualify Akbayan as a party-list group. “Our political differences with Akbayan do not detract from the fact that they are as genuine a party-list as adobo is an original Pinoy dish,” asserted Renato Magtubo, PM national chair.

“KMU claims that Akbayan is not anymore a party of the marginalized since it is in coalition with the Aquino administration and its leaders are already in government. But the same was the political objective of KMU’s allied party-list groups when it forged an alliance with a different presidential candidate who just so happened lost in the last elections,” Magtubo explained.

Meanwhile PM called on the Comelec to make good on its declaration that it will rid the party-list system of “jokes, fakes and frauds.” “It is high time that the party-list system is cleansed and loopholes are plugged so that it does not become a backdoor entry for trapos who could not compete at the congressional district level. Despite its flaws, the party-list remains an opening for progressive groups to gain a foothold in Congress so as to advance the struggle for social reforms and social change,” Magtubo insisted.

Magtubo is a nominee of the PM Coalition whose petition for accreditation as a party-list organization is pending at the Comelec. PM Coalition is comprised of labor organizations like PM, the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA), United Cavite Workers Association, Solidarity of Cebu Workers and the Yellow Bus Labor Union in Mindanao.

“We commend KMU for exposing bogus party-list organizations like Mikey Arroyo’s Ang Galing Pinoy. But we cannot support their claim against Akbayan is which simply based on partisan and sectarian politics. Even as KMU and Akbayan are in partnership with rival factions of the ruling class, open or otherwise, their constituencies and programs nonetheless both remain representative of the so-called marginalized sectors,” Magtubo added.

“I remember that Akbayan is one of a few and brave progressive parties that pioneered participation in the party-list elections at a time when others criticized it as reformism and equated revolutionism with waging guerilla war in the mountains. Of course these erstwhile extremist groups later made a 180 degree turn without explanation and then pioneered unprincipled alliances with class enemies,” Magtubo elaborated.

Together with Etta Rosales of Akbayan, Magtubo was one of the original party-list representatives who won in the first party-list elections in 1998. In their first term, Magtubo and Rosales exposed the payola attending the passage of the EPIRA Law that groups now lambast as the root cause of the high electricity costs in the country, which is the most expensive in the world.

PAL employee files case at Ombudsman and House Ethics Committee

Press Release
PALEA
January 17, 2011

Philippine Airlines employee Sarah Bonnin-Ocampo and the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) today filed complaints at the Ombudsman and the House Ethics Committee against Rep. Eulogio Magsaysay of the party-list Alliance of Volunteer Educators.

They trooped to the Office of the Ombudsman by 10:00 a.m. and then to the Batasang Pambansa by 1:00 p.m. The cases allege that Magsaysay is guilty of grave slander, serious misconduct, conduct unbecoming of a high ranking public official and direct solicitation of personal favor or gain using his office. Atty. Bernadette Carrasco, legal counsel for Ocampo, said that the Ombudsman case is a criminal complaint while the Ethics Committee case is an administrative one.

“We wish that Sarah’s fight for justice will blaze a trail in the struggle for workers’ dignity. Service workers in the airline industry and call centers among others suffer indignities in the workplace through no fault of their own but receive no protection from their employers or the government. There are many more Sarahs who need support and protection against abusive officials and insensitive customers,” insisted Ginalyn Licayan, head of the PALEA Women’s Committee.

Meanwhile the labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) declared its support for Ocampo’s fight for justice and a contingent from PM joined PALEA members in the activities today.

“Sarah’s fight is the fight of all working women. We call on women workers and women advocates to stand up in support of Sarah against sexism and for dignity,” said Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary-general. PM and women’s groups participated in a forum this afternoon. In the forum “Stand Up Against Sexism and Abuse of Working Women and Men” held at a restaurant in Quezon City, PM, PALEA and other groups discussed a coordinated campaign for “Justice for Sarah Ocampo, Justice for Women Workers.”

Miranda also questioned Magsaysay’s credentials as a supposed party-list representative. “Magsaysay’s abusive behavior towards a woman employee exposes his pretensions as a representative of the marginalized. What underrepresented sector exactly does Magsaysay’s Alliance of Voluntary Educators speak for? It appears that Magsaysay as an advocate of the marginalized is as fictional as Mikey Arroyo being a representative of tricycle drivers,” she added.

“We call on incoming Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair Sixto Brillantes to reform the accreditation process for party-list groups. The last Comelec was universally condemned for accrediting and proclaiming bogus and fake party-list groups in contravention of landmark Supreme Court guidelines,” Miranda asserted.

Labor party supports PAL employee’s fight for justice

Press Release
January 16, 2011

The labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) declared its support for Philippine Airlines employee Sarah Bonnin-Ocampo’s fight for justice on the eve of the filing of a case against her abuser Rep. Eulogio Magsaysay. A contingent from PM will accompany Ocampo and the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) in the filing of complaints against Magsaysay at the Ombudsman and the House Ethics Committee tomorrow.

The groups will troop to the Office of the Ombudsman by 10:00 a.m. and then to the Batasang Pambansa by 1:00 p.m. The complaints will allege that Magsaysay is guilty of The complaints will allege that Magsaysay is guilty of grave slander and conduct unbecoming of a high ranking public official among others.

“Sarah’s fight is the fight of all working women. We call on women workers and women advocates to stand up against sexism and for dignity in support of Sarah,” said Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary-general. PM will join other women’s groups in a forum tomorrow after the filing of cases. In the forum “Stand Up Against Sexism and Abuse of Working Women and Men” to be held at a restaurant in Quezon City, PM, PALEA and other groups will discuss a coordinated campaign for “Justice for Sarah Ocampo, Justice for Women Workers.”

“We hope Sarah’s courageous fight for justice will blaze a trail in the struggle for workers dignity. Service workers in the airline industry and call centers among others suffer indignities in the workplace through no fault of their own but receive no protection from their employers or the government. There are many more Sarahs who need support and protection against abusive and insensitive officials and customers,” insisted Miranda.

Miranda also questioned Magsaysay’s credentials as a supposed party-list representative. “Magsaysay’s abusive behavior towards a woman employee exposes his pretensions as a representative of the marginalized. What underrepresented sector exactly does Magsaysay’s Alliance of Voluntary Educators speak for? It appears that Magsaysay as an advocate of the marginalized is as fictional as Mikey Arroyo being a representative of tricycle drivers,” she added.

“We call on incoming Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair Sixto Brillantes to reform the accreditation process for party-list groups. The last Comelec was universally condemned for accrediting and proclaiming bogus and fake party-list groups in contravention of landmark Supreme Court guidelines,” Miranda asserted.

PALEA women employees picket AVE party-list representative – for sexist arrogance

PRESS RELEASE
PALEA
11 January 2011

Women and men members of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) held a picket-rally this morning at the residence of Alliance of Volunteers Educators (AVE) Party-List Rep. Eulogio Magsaysay in Greenhills. This is to protest against his unbecoming conduct when he publicly shouted sexist remarks and threatened PALEA member Sarah Bonnin Ocampo with dismissal on 17 December last year.

The group, which included Ocampo, assembled around 10:00 am in front of Club Filipino together with members of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM). PAL employee Ocampo alleges that Magsaysay threatened her with dismissal from work and of being a “menopausal bitch” in an incident at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport boarding area.

“We would like to seek justice for all aviation workers who are constantly experiencing disrespect and abuse from airline customers especially abusive politicians and government officials but have chosen to remain silent for fear of reprisal,” explained Ginalyn Licayan, head of PALEA’s Women Committee.

Ocampo plans to file both civil and criminal cases against the party-list representative. Despite being harassed by mysterious phone calls, she shall pursue the case with the full support of the PALEA, PM and various women groups which have expressed their indignation.

“Mr. Magsaysay represents those obnoxious politicians who shamelessly wield their positions with utmost arrogance against ordinary employees. Calling our co-employee names such as ‘menopausal bitch’ is the epitome of rudeness and sexism, totally embarrassing for a so-called ‘public servant.’ Naturingan pa siyang representante ng sektor ng edukasyon!” added Licayan.

“Government officials, especially the likes of Mr. Magsaysay should realize that workers are human beings who deserve respect. It is truly an embarrassment that a number of ‘public servants’ in our country do not know how to conduct themselves accordingly. Bagamat may patakaran ang Civil Service Commission laban sa ganitong kondukta ng mga empleyado maging ng mga opisyal ng gobyerno, they can easily get away with it. Because government itself is complacent, as if arrogance is the acceptable mark of a true blue government official, which should not be the case,” asserted PM Secretary General Judy Ann Miranda.

“We cannot continue to allow government officials to use their position in maligning workers, especially those who undermine women workers’ right to be free from discrimination and sexism,” said Licayan.

Comelec ruled on ‘intent of the Arroyos’ not on ‘intent of the law’–labor group

PRESS RELEASE
21 July 2010

The labor party-list group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) lambasted the Comelec for consistently erring on very important questions on party-list representations.

According to PM chair Renato Magtubo, the Comelec is making contempt of its own not only by making self-contradictory rulings but also on making itself highly vulnerable to suspicions that sans propriety, these rulings are nothing but political trade off if not an outright fiscal transaction.

“Had Kasangga party-list still had Lourdes Arroyo in its list of nominees, the Comelec could have granted it the same privilege as that of Ang Galing Pinoy whose nominee is the former presidential son, Mikey Arroyo,” explained Magtubo.

The labor group said it was obviously the “intent of the Arroyos” and other favoured groups and not the “intent of the party-list law” that were considered by the Comelec in issuing this shameful ruling.

“When Lourdes Arroyo said she wanted to represent the small vendors in the 14th Congress the Comelec said she can. And when Mikey said he wanted to become security guards’ party-list nominee in the 15th Congress the Comelec said he can. They wished and the Comelec understood it as their command,” protested Magtubo.

He said Comelec’s favourable ruling on Mikey Arroyo is totally bereft of wisdom and perhaps deliberately planned to sow more confusion in the party-list system, undermine its real purpose, to give credence to those who call for its abolition.

Guarding against impostors

Upon hearing the news of Mikey getting the nod of Comelec, a group of security guards wanted Mikey Arroyo’s proclamation challenged not only in court but also in public debates.

Pilo Rosete, a licensed security guard with more than 15 years of work experience in the field, said, “An impostor can sit well with representatives of employers and landlords in Congress but not with underpaid, unsecured security guards.”

Omar Pescadera, another security guard, said Mikey has never experienced the grueling 12-hour shifts that we normally do and surviving on minimum wages. “Our work as security guards usually involve protecting property from being stolen by thieves thus we also do not want our voice to be robbed by frauds,” he said. Pescadera lives in Dasmarinas, Cavite and has four years of work experience with his last year working as a guard in Cavite although he has recently been unemployed.

Supreme Court refuge

The Partido ng Manggagawa is planning to go to the Supreme Court to seek relief not only on the qualifications of a party-list nominee but also on the disqualification of several party-list groups. The group is now preparing a motion for intervention on the case filed earlier by another party-list group seeking the disqualification of more than a hundred party-list groups that do not represent marginalized sectors.

“We believe that the question on nominees has so much to do with the nature of the party they represent. If a nominee is an impostor, the party is most likely a sham,” concluded Magtubo.

Labor party-list dares Mikey Arroyo to face security guards in forum

Press Release
April 12, 2010

The labor party-list Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) dared Rep. Mikey Arroyo who is running as a party-list nominee to attend the forum being organized by a group of security guards. “Since Mikey claims to be the party-list representative of security guards, there is no reason for him not to face his alleged constituents, present his electoral platform and defend his track record, of which we have not heard of yet,” asserted Renato Magtubo, PM chairperson.

A group of security guards led by Pilo Rosete, a licensed guard with more than 15 years of experience, announced yesterday that they plan to invite Arroyo to participate in a forum they are organizing. Rosete said that security guards want to hear Arroyo’s position on the concerns and grievances of their sector. He also declared that they will invite Magtubo and ex-General Danny Lim to the forum so they can faceoff with Arroyo on various issues of interest to security guards.

Magtubo confirmed that he will attend the security guards forum. He added that “It would be interesting to debate with Mikey about his allegations that he is the voice of the security guards as a marginalized group. If Mikey does not honor the invitation of the security guards then it can only because he does wish to be exposed as a fake.”

Rosete stated that they were surprised by the existence of Arroyo’s party-list group of security guards and they were ignorant of the latter’s qualifications as a nominee. “The forum will be an opportunity for my fellow security guards to ask questions of Mikey Arroyo. We will ask him about his stance on the long hours of work, the low wages and the lack of security of tenure of many security guards. We want to hear what laws he will enact to protect the rights and welfare of security guards. We wish to know if he will push for the organizing of security guards into associations so we can defend our economic and social interests,” Rosete clarified.

Magtubo insisted that security guards are a sub-sector of the working class and that “PM has acted as the political party of workers, including security guards, inside Congress and the parliament of the streets. PM’s platform of ‘Apat na Dapat’ responds to the most important grievances of security guards. The ‘Apat na Dapat’ means regular jobs, a living wage, affordable housing and healthcare coverage for all workers, which incidentally are also the demands of security guards.”

Security guards challenge Mikey Arroyo on platform and track record

Press Release
April 11, 2010

A group of security guards is planning to invite Rep. Mikey Arroyo to a forum and are challenging him to present his electoral platform and track record. Pilo Rosete, a licensed security guard with more than 15 years of work experience in the field, said that “We wish to hear what Mikey Arroyo can say as a supposed advocate of security guards. And we want him to face-off with Renato Magtubo of Partido ng Manggagawa and ex-General Danny Lim who we know have both an electoral platform and track record of advocacy for security guards.”

Meanwhile Magtubo, Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) chairperson, accepted the proposal to meet Arroyo in a forum to be organized by security guards. “We accept the challenge to a debate with Mikey. The security guards as a subsector of the working class with their own workplace grievances surely deserve to have representatives in Congress who share their concerns and not impostors just out to use them.”

Rosete explained that they are already organizing the security guards forum although they have not firmed up details such as date and venue. He asked for the help of the media in informing Arroyo of the forum but they plan to send a formal invitation once the details of the forum are finalized. They have already sent feelers to Magtubo and Lim about the planned forum.

He said that security guards are very much concerned about the issue of Arroyo’s party-list bid as a supposed representative of their sector. “We know that Mikey has never experienced the grueling 12-hour shifts that we normally do and surviving on minimum wages. We have also learned that he did not file any document proving a track record of advocacy for security guards. Moreover no security guard I have met has any knowledge of Mikey’s group Ang Galing Pinoy. Our work as security guards usually involve protecting property from being stolen by thieves thus we also do not want our voice to be robbed by frauds.”

Rosete also clarified that the organizing committee for the forum is not a formal group but just an adhoc caucus of employed security guards and some recently laidoff. He elaborated that the freedom to organize is actually one of the major issues of security guards since many attempts to unionize guards in order to protect their rights and welfare have met fierce opposition from security agencies.

“Our group remains an adhoc caucus but our vision is to form an association of security guards for mutual aid and protection. Many of the owners of security agencies are former generals and officers in the armed forces with connections among influential people thus it is easy enough to intimate union organizers. Probably Mikey’s only tenuous connection with security guards is his friendship with our employers, owners of security agencies, who are in no way a marginalized sector,” Rosete argued.

Labor party-list asks Mikey to follow his aunt, withdraw as party-list nominee

Press Release
March 30, 2010

The labor party-list Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) is asking Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo to follow the lead of his aunt Kasangga Rep. Malou Arroyo-Lesaca who announced her withdrawal as a party-list nominee. “Ang ginagawa ng matatanda dapat gayahin ng mga bata. The decent nephew follows the good example of an aunt. So we dare Mikey to do a Malou and pull-out as a party-list nominee,” declared Renato Magtubo, PM chairperson.

He added that “It is an honorable option for assailed party-list nominees to pull-out from the elections rather than be shamed as fakes and face disqualification. A party-list of security guards is bogus if its first nominee is a presidential son who also happens to be an incumbent congressman. A party-list of transport workers is a sham if its first nominee is an ex-general who also happens to be cabinet secretary.”

PM together with several other party-list groups are preparing to file disqualification cases against certain nominees. “The party-list system is stricken with a virus and it must be cleansed. It is the vigilance of genuine groups and the concerned public that will heal the disease,” argued Magtubo.

PM also declared that they will push in the next Congress for an amendment to the Party-List Act to plug the loopholes that have led to alleged abuses. The labor group is consulting with other party-list organizations on a common agenda of defending the party-list system as means for representation for marginalized sectors.

The group submitted its list of five nominees to the Comelec main office last March 24, a day after the end of PM’s congress that elected its nominees from more than a hundred delegates. “In compliance with the letter and spirit of the party-list law, PM’s five nominees truly represent the working class. They include three union officers with decades of experience as unionists and two former student activists who have spent their adult lives serving the struggles of the workers and the poor,” Magtubo explained.

He stated that “Besides GMA’s not-so-hidden agenda of packing the House of Representatives with her relatives or former cabinet secretaries in order to get elected as House Speaker, the party-list is also being abused as a back-door entry for trapos who find it cheaper spending P20 to 30 million compared to the P50 million or more in traditional congressional races.”

In order, the five PM nominees are:
1. Renato Magtubo: former president of the Fortune Tobacco Labor Union
2. Gerardo Rivera: recently elected president of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association
3. Judy Ann Miranda: former UP student council officer who went full time as working class organizer
4. Wilson Fortaleza: former student activist who also went full time as working class organizer
5. Ma. Luisa Parroco: vice president of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative employees union.

Labor party-list to move for disqualification once nominees are revealed

Press Release
March 24, 2010

The labor party-list Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) is preparing to file disqualification cases against alleged bogus party-list groups based once the list of nominees is officially released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on March 27. The group also welcomed the announcement by the Comelec that it will issue a guideline on party-list nominees.

“The party-list system is stricken with a virus and it must be cleansed. Comelec’s belated prescription may help disinfect the party-list system but it is the vigilance of genuine groups and the concerned public that will heal the disease,” argued Renato Magtubo, PM chairperson.

The group submitted its list of five nominees to the Comelec main office in Intramuros at noon today, a day after the end of PM’s congress that elected its nominees from more than a hundred delegates. The group went to the Comelec while wearing face masks to symbolize its call to cleanse the party-list system. Scores of delegates accompanied PM’s nominees and held posters with the message “Disinfect the party-list system” and “Linisin ang sistemang party-list.”

“In compliance with the letter and spirit of the party-list law, PM’s five nominees truly represent the working class. They include three union officers with decades of experience as unionists and two former student activists who have spent their adult lives serving the struggles of the workers and the poor,” Magtubo explained.

He added that “A party-list of security guards is bogus if its first nominee is a presidential son who also happens to be an incumbent congressman. A party-list of transport workers is a sham if its first nominee is an ex-general who also happens to be cabinet secretary.”

The labor group is also holding consultations with other genuine party-list organizations on a common agenda of defending the party-list system as means for representation for traditionally marginalized sectors. PM also declared that they will push in the next Congress for an amendment to the Party-List Law to plug the loopholes that have led to alleged abuses.

He stated that “Besides GMA’s not-so-hidden agenda of packing the House of Representatives with her relatives or former cabinet secretaries in order to get elected as House Speaker, the party-list is also being abused as a back-door entry for trapos who find it cheaper spending P20 to 30 million compared to the P50 million or more in traditional congressional races.”

In order, the five PM nominees are:
1. Renato Magtubo: former president of the Fortune Tobacco Labor Union
2. Gerardo Rivera: recently elected president of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association
3. Judy Ann Miranda: former UP student council officer who went full time as working class organizer
4. Wilson Fortaleza: former student activist who also went full time as working class organizer
5. Ma. Luisa Parroco: vice president of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative employees union.

Labor party-list asks bogus party-lists to withdraw rather than be exposed

Press Release
March 22, 2010

The labor party-list Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) called on alleged bogus party-list groups to voluntarily withdraw rather than face exposure in the face of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminder than nominees must be disclosed no later than March 26.

“It is a better option for assailed party-list groups to pull-out from the elections rather than be revealed as fakes come March 26 and later face disqualification. A party-list of security guards is bogus if its first nominee is a presidential son who also happens to be an incumbent congressman. A party-list of transport workers is a sham if its first nominee is an ex-general who also happens to be cabinet secretary,” argued Renato Magtubo, PM chairperson.

PM is preparing to file disqualification cases against alleged bogus party-list groups once the list of nominees is released by the Comelec on March 27. The labor group is also holding consultations with other party-list organizations on a common agenda of defending the party-list system as means for representation for traditionally marginalized sectors. PM also declared that they will push for an amendment to the Party-List Law to make it mandatory for the Comelec to release the list of nominees.

Magtubo announced that PM will be submitting its list of nominees on the morning of Wednesday, the day after its congress ends. PM is presently holding in Quezon City a two-day congress which will elect five nominees ranked in order from among delegates from chapters across the country.

He stated that “Besides GMA’s not-so-hidden agenda of packing the House of Representatives with her relatives or former cabinet secretaries in order to get elected as House Speaker, the party-list is also being abused as a back-door entry for trapos who find it cheaper spending P20-30 million compared to P50 million or more in traditional congressional races.”

“In compliance with the letter and spirit of the constitution and party-list law, we will be choosing nominees who truly represent the working class. Without pre-empting the congress, PM’s five nominees can only be union officers, community leaders or former students who have spent their adult lives serving the struggles of the workers and the poor,” Magtubo explained.

Labor party-list pickets Comelec to expedite case re acronym

Press Release
February 8, 2010

On the eve of the campaign period for the national elections, the labor party-list group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) picketed the Comelec main office to urge the poll body to immediately decide on the exclusive use of the acronym “PM.” “We appeal to the Comelec to expedite hearings and issue a decision before ballots are printed,” stated Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary-general.

Last Friday, the labor party-list filed a manifestation with the Comelec, docketed as SPP 10-006 (PL), with a prayer to prohibit a newly accredited party-list from using the acronym “PM.” The group found out that in the Certified List of Candidates for Party List posted on the COMELEC website on January 30, 2010 at 3pm that the acronym of Pasang Masda was indicated as “PM.” Partido ng Manggagawa is arguing that the use of the same acronym ‘PM’ by two groups will confuse the voters.

The day before it filed the manifestation, PM also sent a letter addressed to Atty. Ferdinand Rafanan of the Comelec Law Department and Chairman Jose Melo asking the poll body to compel Pasang Masda to change the acronym it used. Miranda added that “We expect the Comelec to correct the mistake before the official ballots are printed. ‘PM’ is an acronym that has been registered with the Partido ng Manggagawa for almost a decade now, used during elections or not, inside the House of Representatives and in the parliament of the streets.”

“The use of the same acronym ‘PM’ by both Partido ng Manggagawa and Pasang Masda will utterly confuse the voters. Voters shading their ballots will easily make a mistake since Partido ng Manggagawa and Pasang Masda will be adjacent to each other on the roll of party-list groups,” insisted Miranda.

In both the letter and the manifestation to the Comelec, the labor party-list argued that “PM” for the last 2001, 2004 and 2007 elections has been the acronym of Partido ng Manggagawa printed in the COMELEC official ballots. Also it stated that Renato Magtubo was proclaimed, sworn in and recognized by the 12th and 13th Congress as Partido ng Manggagawa-PM Party List representative.

Partido ng Manggagawa believes that Pasang Masda was one of many party-list groups accredited after appeal since it was not part of the original Comelec certified list of 144 last January 15. The labor party-list is also raising an issue on the propriety of the accredited party-list groups suddenly ballooning by 30% to 187.

Renato Magtubo, PM chairperson, meanwhile called on Pasang Masda to change the acronym “PM” which it used in its registration with the Comelec for the party-list election. “Don’t overtake is a minor traffic rule that we expect Pasang Masda to follow. Partido ng Manggagawa is ahead of Pasang Masda as far as driving on the party-list road is concerned and PM has been our vehicle since the 2001 elections,” he stated.

“Don’t overtake,” labor party-list urge transport group

Press Release
February 4, 2010

The labor party-list group Partido ng Manggagawa called on the transport association Pasang Masda to change the acronym “PM” which it used in its registration with the Comelec for the party-list election. “Don’t overtake is a minor traffic rule that we expect Pasang Masda to follow. Partido ng Manggagawa is ahead of Pasang Masda as far as driving on the party-list road is concerned and PM has been our vehicle since the 2001 elections,” stated Judy Ann Miranda, secretary-general of Partido ng Manggagawa.

The labor party-list found out in the Certified List of Candidates for Party List posted on the COMELEC website on January 30, 2010 at 3pm that the acronym of Pasang Masda was indicated as “PM.” Partido ng Manggagawa will file today at the Comelec clerk of court a formal petition to resolve the issue and grant the labor party-list the exclusive right to use the acronym “PM.”

Yesterday the group already sent a letter addressed to the Atty. Ferdinand Rafanan of the Comelec Law Department and Chairman Jose Melo asking the poll body to compel Pasang Masda to change the acronym it used. Miranda added that “We expect the Comelec to correct the mistake before the official ballots are printed. ‘PM’ is an acronym that has been registered with the Partido ng Manggagawa for almost a decade now, used during elections or not, inside the House of Representatives and in the parliament of the streets.”

“The use of the same acronym ‘PM’ by both Partido ng Manggagawa and Pasang Masda will utterly confuse the voters. Voters shading their ballots will easily make a mistake since Partido ng Manggagawa and Pasang Masda will be adjacent to each other on the roll of party-list groups,” insisted Miranda.

She said that “We do not object to jeepney drivers participating in the party-list elections nor do we question Pasang Masda seeking representation for the sector. But they must register their own unique acronym instead of appropriating ‘PM’ that has been historically tied to Partido ng Manggagawa.”

In its letter to the Comelec, the labor party-list argued that “PM” for the last 2001, 2004 and 2007 elections has been the acronym of Partido ng Manggagawa printed in the COMELEC official ballots. Also it stated that Renato Magtubo was proclaimed, sworn in and recognized by the 12th and 13th Congress as Partido ng Manggagawa-PM Party List representative.

Partido ng Manggagawa believes that Pasang Masda was one of many party-list groups accredited after appeal since it was not part of the original Comelec certified list of 144 last January 15. The labor party-list is also raising an issue on the propriety of the accredited party-list groups suddenly ballooning by 30% to 187.

Labor group asks Comelec to cleanse party-list of fake and bogus organizations

Press Release
August 18, 2009

The labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) appealed to the Comelec to weed out fake and bogus organization from the ranks of the party-list system in the face of the registration of more than 200 new registrants. Renato Magtubo, PM national chair, said, “The Alyansa ng mga Sabungero reflects the deterioration of the party-list system and negates it as a token means for the marginalized and underrepresented sectors to enter parliament. Hundreds of fake and bogus party-list organization will crowd out legitimate and deserving groups from a fighting chance as happened in the 2004 and 2007 elections. A sabungero as party-list representative together with a berdugo and a presidential sister-in-law masquerading as tindera will complete the decay of the party-list system.”

PM is a registered group that has joined the party-list elections since 2001 to give voice and representation to the working class. The group asked the Comelec to strictly implement the letter and spirit of the party-list law as well as the eight-point guidelines stipulated by the Supreme Court in its landmark Ang Bagong Bayani vs Comelec decision. “The Comelec has all the powers to cleanse the party-list system if it so wishes. We hope under the leadership of Comelec chief Melo, it uses this authority wisely,” added Magtubo.

“The danger with groups such as the Alyansa ng mga Sabungero is not only that it elbows out truly marginalized sectors but it serves as the backdoor entry for trapos in the party-list system. It bears seeing if the nominees of Alyansa ng mga Sabungero are truly the lowly kristo or some second-rate trapo who cannot compete in the district-level congressional race such as the sister of the First Gentlemen who now sits in congress supposedly as the representative of balut and street vendors,” Magtubo elaborated.

He furthered that “The trapos have found out that it is far cheaper and much easier to win a seat in Congress through the party-list than through the district-level. The GMA regime itself has encouraged this manipulation of the party-list system to weaken the representation of militant groups that have successfully used the token reform to articulate the grievances and demands of the workers, farmers and the poor.”

In the Ang Bagong Bayani-OFW Party vs. Comelec case of 2001, the Supreme Court laid down eight-point guidelines to screen the party-list groups and weed out the legitimate from the counterfeit. The sixth and seventh guidelines state: "Sixth, the party must not only comply with the requirements of the law; its nominees must likewise do so… Seventh, not only the candidate party or organization must represent marginalized and underrepresented sectors; so also must its nominees. To repeat, under Section 2 of RA 7941, the nominees must be Filipino citizens 'who belong to marginalized and underrepresented sectors, organizations and parties.’”