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

 

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

A dynasty-filled Senate is anti-impeachment

Dismissing Sara Duterte’s impeachment case in plain view was just like re-electing Chiz Escudero. The alignment was the same. The numbers and faces who rejected the motion to keep the impeachment process alive in the Senate are the same mix of people representing political dynasties. Their votes, therefore, have nothing to do with the “rule of law” nor the representation of their “independence” as co-equal.

 

Yesterday, the Senate majority just did what Escudero wanted them to do since the 19th Congress – kill the impeachment.  Yet, it is harder to think that it was Sara Duterte who’s managing Chiz or she’s in virtual control of the Senate. That’s surely beyond her power and competence.

 

So why did the Senate majority unanimously reject a very simple “PAKIUSAP” by the minority to wait for the final decision of the Supreme Court on the motion for reconsideration? They could have simply suspended deliberations rather than put into the archive an impeachment complaint, which they also believed was non-existent.

 

There can only be one explanation for this, which we believe was driving the new Senate under Escudero. This was brilliantly explained by Cayetano’s “talunin nyo na lang si Sara sa 2028” remark, coupled with other innuendos about the possibility of endless impeachment complaints flooding the Senate in the future because of corruption. That sharp presentation in support of making the impeachment process more difficult has truly assumed consensus among dynasties in the Senate. Dynasties have their own political plans beyond the Senate, and impeachment is the least political process that they will support.

 

Clearly, the Senate they are shaping today is anti-impeachment. In other words, their votes yesterday were not just for Sara but also for themselves. Their defense of Sara is their flood control to prevent the arm of justice and accountability reaching their own dynasty walls. 

“Nakakahiya na talaga kayo!” – Workers cry foul on killed wage hike and planned dismissal of impeachment

 

The Senate of the 19th Congress has simultaneously stalled action on both the proposed wage hike and the impeachment case. Sen. Escudero effectively killed the wage hike measure, while the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte is also poised to be dismissed today.

 

At a protest in front of the Senate this morning led by Tindig Pilipinas, Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, Kalipunan, and Siklab, members of Partido Manggagawa (PM), raised their voices against the Senate inaction: “No impeachment, no wage hike? Nakakahiya na talaga kayo!”

 

“Impeach! Huwag Puro Insert sa National Budget,” a PM poster displayed, referring to reported billions of insertions to the 2025 budget allegedly orchestrated by Escudero.

 

The Senate plans to vote on whether to dismiss or not the impeachment complaint following the Supreme Court’s decision declaring the House’s impeachment process unconstitutional. But the House of Representatives filed a motion for reconsideration before the high tribunal, while several civil society organizations and former Justices also filed separate petitions for intervention and asking the Court to declare a status quo ante and the holding or oral arguments.

 

An outright dismissal is totally deplorable, according to PM Secretary General Judy Miranda, since a bad Senate decision will have deep repercussions for other equally important measures on accountability and social justice.

 

The proposed wage hike and anti-endo bills have once again been refiled in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

 

“Workers fight for their passage alongside the impeachment case, as both good governance and raising the living standards of Filipinos are constitutional duties of lawmakers,” Miranda said. 

Photos can be accessed at the FB page: Partido Manggagawa 

Bigong Pilipinas – War of Dynasties, No War on Poverty

Photo from Rappler

While political dynasties are locked in a bitter battle for power, the working class suffer. Workers continue to face chronic poverty and exploitation, three years under the so-called “Bagong Pilipinas” of the Marcos administration.

 

Bigo pa rin at hindi nagbago ang lagay ng Pilipinas. There is no genuine war on poverty, only a war for power among political clans.

 

Our portrayal of State of the Nation Address (SONA) tomorrow may sound too negative, but that is the hard truth we need to confront. SONA’s usual summation declaring the state of the nation as sound is an insult to millions who cannot afford basic necessities.

 

Wages remain below poverty threshold

 

In all 17 regions, the minimum wage remains below the outdated poverty threshold, forcing workers to live on starvation pay. Despite the government claims of progress with the economy inching up to reach the upper middle-income status, the reality is stark: the cost of living continues to rise, while wages lag far behind. A growing economy must have provided workers with decent jobs, but low pay and contractual jobs dominate the workplace.

 

In short, workers are drowning under the weight of high prices for food, utilities, transportation, and basic services. Mas mataas pa ang baha sa sweldo, ang mas tumitibay ay katayuan ng tiwali sa gobyerno kaysa sa trabaho ng mga Pilipino!

 

The workers’ demands are clear:

 

1.           Immediate wage hike to a level that assures a life of dignity for all workers;

2.           End contractualization by stopping the rampant use of contractual and precarious employment that robs workers of job security and benefits;

3.           Lower prices of goods and services by taking concrete steps to control inflation and reduce the cost of essentials like food, healthcare, energy, housing, and transportation.

 

Accountability

 

We likewise call on all workers and citizens to hold leaders accountable. At this moment, impeaching Sara Duterte is still the right thing to do, but the struggle for reforms must go beyond this. Raising the Filipinos’ quality of life and standard of living is a constitutional duty as equally important as ensuring accountability and good and governance.

 

Finally, we believe genuine reform will only come through the organized strength of the people, not the empty promises of political dynasties.

Impeaching Sara is still the right thing to do!

 

Photo by Inquirer.net

Justice Leonen said, “there is a right way to do the right thing at the right time.” Tama siya – but let’s be clear: impeaching Sara Duterte remains the right thing to do.

 

But if the so-called “right time” is being used to delay justice, then that is wrong. Justice must not be strangled by technicalities.

 

Meanwhile, citizens must continue to hold all government officials accountable in all aspects. Isa ito sa batayan nang sinasabi namin na reporma lagpas sa impeachment ni Sara. The call for deep political and institutional reforms does not end with Sara Duterte.

 

Accountability should not depend on titles or positions; it must apply to all public servants. We urge the people to assert this principle and ensure that those in power are never above the law.

 

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the standard applied in the recent Supreme Court decision.

Reporma Lagpas kay Sara! Legislated Wage Hike, Now Na!

PAHAYAG

Partido Manggagawa

June 10, 2024

Tama, pero kapos. Tuloy, pero bitin. Ganito namin inilalarawan sa PM ang mga kaganapan ngayon, sa dalawang huling nalalabing araw ng sesyon ng Kongreso.

Salamat naman at si SP Chiz Escudero ay nahimasmasan, tumiklop sa kahihiyan kahit na hanggang sa dulo ay kimkim ang sama ng loob sa pagkatalo ng kanyang posisyon. Dahil sa kanyang paliwanag, kahit na may salitang “forthwith” na dapat sundin, ang impeachment trial ay hindi dapat minamadali. Ibig sabihin, pwedeng mabagal, pwedeng dahan-dahan. O pwedeng hindi na lang.

Teka-teka ang tawag sa ganitong pulitika. Ganito ang pulitika na hindi nakatuntong sa matibay na panininindigan para sa tama at mali, sa nararapat at hindi. Ganito ang makasariling pulitika, ang timbangan ay nakasentro sa sarili o kaya ay sa dynasty. Ngunita lam natin na hindi solo ni Chiz ang ganitong pulitika.

Makikita natin ang marami sa kanila sa proseso mismo ng impeachment, kapag nagsimula na ang trial. May inisyal nang palatandaan. Kagabi ay siyam lamang ang bumoto pabor sa “proceed”, anim ang tumutol, at walo ang nyutral. Neutral? May ganun? Magbabago ang komposisyon ng Senado sa 20th Congress kaya’t magkakaroon pa ng rigodon.

Subalit kung nababagalan ang marami sa takbo ng impeachment, ano pa sa tinatakbo ng legislated wage hike? February last year pa naipasa ng Senado ang P100 increase, pero sa Kamara nito lamang nakaraang linggo naipasa ang P200. Para mapabilis ay dapat nag-usap na ang bicameral panel para dito, pero wala pa. Dahil dito ay mamimiligrong hindi ito maipasa.

Ito ang dahilan kung bakit hinihimok din namin mga ang mga mambabatas na manumpa, hindi lamang bilang mga justice at prosecutor sa impeachment court, kundi para maipasa ang legislated wage hike na nakabinbin ngayon sa Kongreso.

Nakapanumpa na si SP Chiz Escudero bilang presiding justice at maaring ngayon o bukas ay manumpa na rin ang lahat ng senador.  Subalit ang wage hike ay wala pang naitatalagang conferees ang Senado para sa Bicam. May mga pahayag din mula sa ilang Senador na bubusisiin pa nila ng husto ang naipasa nilang panukala, bagay na lalong magpapabagal o ganap na pumigil sa pagpasa nito. 

Matatagalan ang nabuksang paglilitis sa impeachment dahil tatawid pa ito sa 20th Congress, samantalang ang wage hike bill na P100-P200 ay naghihingalo sa antas ng bicam at nanganganib pang di makarating sa Palasyo para maging batas. Nanunulay din ito sa presyur ng capitalist veto dahil sa pagtutol ng mga negosyante at economic managers ni Bongbong Marcos. 

Naniniwala kami na may magagawa pa ang Kongreso kung magkakaisa lamamg ang dalawang Kapulungan na maipasa ang wage hike bill kahit nasa last two minutes na tayo ng labanan. Kung hindi ito magagawa, ito ay pagtalikod sa kanilang tungkulin at pagyuko sa capitalist lobby laban sa manggagawa.

Ang ganitong kabiguan ay lalo lamang magpapatibay at magpapatunay sa aming paniniwala na kapos ang impeachment ni Sara kung walang kaakibat na mga reporma, katulad sa mga naunang impeachment.  

Naninindigan kami na ang reporma ay dapat lagpas sa impeachment ni Sara, at ang pagtugon sa kahilingan ng mga manggagawa na baguhin ang maling patakaran na naglibing sa sweldo sa starvation at poverty level ay mas malaking inhustisya na dapat ituwid ng mga mambabatas. 

Reporma Lagpas kay Sara! Legislated Wage Hike, Now Na!

Maraming salamat!

Take Your Vow for a Wage Hike Too

We, the workers, also urge lawmakers to take an oath—not just as judges and prosecutors in the impeachment court—but to pass the long-pending legislated wage hike currently stalled in Congress. 

 

Earlier, Senate President Chiz Escudero took his oath as presiding judge, and today or tomorrow, senators may don their judicial robes to swear into their roles. 

 

However, the wage hike bill still lacks Senate conferees for the Bicameral Conference Committee. Some senators have even stated that they will thoroughly review the proposal they had already approved, which could stall its passage in the remaining two days. 

 

The impeachment trial that has begun will drag on into the 20th Congress, while the P100-P200 wage hike bill languishes in the bicameral stage, at risk of never reaching Malacañang to become law. 

 

The wage hike bill also faces intense pressure of a capitalist veto due to opposition from business groups and Bongbong Marcos’ economic managers. 

 

We believe Congress still has the persuasive power to pass this bill—even in the last two minutes of the session—if both chambers unite. 

 

Failure to do so would be a betrayal of duty and a surrender to the capitalist lobby against workers. 

 

This failure would only reinforce our belief that Sara’s impeachment alone is insufficient without accompanying reforms, as seen in past impeachments. 

 

Reform must go beyond Sara’s impeachment. Addressing workers’ demands to reverse policies that keep wages at starvation and poverty levels is a far greater injustice that lawmakers need to rectify.

 

Workers troop to Senate for P200 wage hike as urgent reform along with impeachment

 

Members of labor groups Partido Manggagawa (PM) and the Nagkaisa labor coalition trooped to the Senate this morning for the final push for the legislated P200 salary increase. Some 400 workers and supporters joined the mobilization at the Senate to call for the immediate convening of the bicameral committee to come up with a final version. The Senate passed a P100 wage hike while the House of Representatives enacted P200.

 

“We demand that Congress proceed forthwith with organizing the bicam for a final version of the legislated wage increase,” asserted Judy Miranda, PM secretary general.

 

About 100 PM members accompanied Miranda in the Senate rally this morning. Later in the afternoon, the group also linked up with multi-sectoral organizations Kalipunan and Tindig Pilipinas which are calling for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to proceed.

 

PM is supporting the call for accountability by Sara Duterte but is insisting that social reforms—such as the wage hike—must be enacted aside from the impeachment of the Vice President. PM raised the demand “Reporma lagpas kay Sara” in the mobilization today. This was also the group’s position when the impeachment case was filed against the Vice President last year.

 

Miranda added that “The P200 wage hike is not excessive but responds appropriately to the wage recovery demand and workers’ just share in the fruits of production. Rigorous research belies the black propaganda and blackmail of employers against wage hikes.” Several academic studies in the Philippines and in other countries have found that substantial salary adjustments do not lead to job losses or higher prices.

 

CONVENE BICAM NOW: RECONCILE WAGE HIKES BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT

The Senate must urgently convene the bicameral conference committee to reconcile the proposed wage increases—P200 (House) and P100 (Senate)—and ratify a final version before Congress adjourns. With only three session days left, any delay at the bicam level risks killing this historic opportunity to grant workers a long-overdue, substantial wage hike. 

 

The constitutional duty of Congress does not end with passing bills; it includes ensuring their timely enactment. While the Senate must comply with its impeachment mandate, it should not neglect its equally critical obligation to workers struggling under stagnant wages. 

 

Even if the bicam beats the clock, the fight is not over: The bill still needs the President’s signature. But combined pressure from Congress and sustained mobilization by labor groups can break the gridlock. The government must act decisively—inaction will only embolden employers who have always opposed wage hikes, no matter how modest. 

 

The choice is clear: Side with workers demanding dignity or surrender to capitalist veto. We call on both chambers to prioritize the bicam, and on Malacañang to heed the people’s call. The time for collective action is now.

Guarded optimism on passage of the P200 wage hike

"This is good news, but workers are holding back their full joy over the House of Representatives’ passage of the proposed P200 wage increase," said Renato Magtubo, Chairperson of Partido Manggagawa.

 

This is because only three session days remain in the 19th Congress, and during this "hour of danger," the Bicameral Conference Committee must quickly come to an agreement, since the Senate had earlier passed only a P100 increase. After this, the agreed-upon version must be signed by the President to become law.

 

"However, if Malacañang and Congress truly want to, nothing is impossible. Even the impeachment of Sara Duterte could be pursued. That’s what we call political will — something workers always find lacking in government," Magtubo added.

 

Magtubo also said that workers have many more grievances that need to be addressed by Malacañang and Congress, such as the ending of contractualization or ‘endo’, which they will continue to fight for in the upcoming 20th Congress. 

PRESS STATEMENT
05 June 2025

Reaksyon sa pagpasa ng P200 dagdag-sweldo sa Kamara

“Magandang balita subalit pigil pa sa kasiyahan ang manggagawa sa pagkakapasa sa Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongreso sa panukalang P200 na dagdag-sahod,” pahayag ng Tagapangulo ng Partido Manggagawa na si Renato Magtubo.

Ito ay dahil may tatlong araw na lamang ang natitirang sesyon ng 19th Congress at sa loob ng ora de peligro na ito ay dapat magkasundo agad ang Bicameral Conference Committee dahil P100 naman ang naunang naipasa ng Senado. Matapos ito ay kailangang lagdaan ng Pangulo ang napagkasunduang bersyon para maging batas.

“Subalit kung talagang gugustuhin ng Palasyo at Kongreso, walang imposible. Kahit nga ang impeachment ni Sara Duterte ay kakayanin pa. Political will ang tawag dyan na siyang laging pagkukulang na hinahanap ng manggagawa sa gobyerno, dagdag ni Magtubo.

Sinabi pa ni Magtubo na marami pang mga hinaing ang manggagawa na kailangang aksyunan ng Palasyo at Kongreso katulad ng pagwawakas sa endo at patuloy itong ipaglalaban sa paparating na 20th Congress. 

PRESS STATEMENT
04 June 2025

Reopening of FASAP case is a travesty of justice

Press Release

March 22, 2012

PALEA

The Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) called the decision of the Supreme Court to affirm the reopening of the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association (FASAP) case as a “travesty of justice.” “Only in the Philippines can a case that had already been ruled with finality twice by the highest court of the land still be reviewed once more on its merits. Indeed justice delayed is justice denied for 1,400 our sister and brother flight attendants,” asserted Gerry Rivera, PALEA president.

He added that “FASAP’s case is relevant is PALEA’s fight since if the retrenchment of cabin crew in 1998 at a time when Philippine Airlines was bankrupt is illegal then so much more is the layoff of 2,400 ground staff after the flag carrier posted PhP 3 billion in profit for its previous fiscal year.”

Meanwhile Renato Magtubo, chairperson of the Partido ng Manggagawa, declared that “The timing of the release of the Supreme Court resolution clearing Chief Justice Renato Corona is perfectly timed for the defense presentation in the impeachment case. It leaves everyone thinking that it is part of the impeachment defense of Corona.”

Magtubo said that the plight of FASAP and PALEA reveals the failure of the labor justice system in the country. “It is not just with the Supreme Court but even more with the graft ridden National Labor Relations Commission, National Mediation and Conciliation Board and Department of Labor and Employment that workers lose to the power of money of abusive capitalists,” he added.

“Workers demand reforms beyond the prosecution of Gloria and the impeachment of Corona. For workers at least get a taste of fair share of justice, the NLRC, NCMB and DOLE must be cleansed, and the policies of liberalization, deregulation and privatization that have led to thousands of closures and layoffs, and collapse of industry and agriculture must be rolled back,” Magtubo explained.

PM announced that the May Day campaign will start early with a “Kalbaryo ng Manggagawa at Maralita” on the first week of April that will highlight the issues of low wages, high prices, mass unemployment, contractual jobs and urban poor demolitions.

PALEA calls for PAL’s testimony on platinum card in to impeachment rally

Press Release

February 27, 2012

PALEA

In a rally before the start of today’s impeachment trial, the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) once more aired its call for the Senator-judges to allow the testimony of Philippine Airlines (PAL) management on the privileges given to Chief Justice Renato Corona and his wife. “We hope that in the caucus today, the Senators will reconsider Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile’s decision to deny the testimony of PAL VP for Sales Enrique Javier on the platinum card given to CJ Corona,” declared Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).

More than a hundred PALEA members together with a group from PM picketed the Senate grounds this noon. The protesters distributed makeshift platinum cards to passers-by in allusion to the privilege extended by PAL to CJ Corona.

Before the protest at the impeachment trial, PALEA and PM held a motorcade that passed by the different PAL offices such Nichols, Data Center Building, PNB Building and PAL Learning Center (Faura).  The motorcade commemorated the 5^th month of PALEA’s protest at Terminal 2 and the implementation of PAL’s outsourcing plan.

“Five months into PALEA’s protest against outsourcing and contractualization, thousands of our members remain steadfast in the struggle. If reports are indeed true that the flag carrier will be acquired by a new owner, then we call on them to make PAL fly high again by resolving the labor dispute and reinstating the locked out workers back to their regular jobs,” Rivera insisted.

PM meanwhile countered President Benigno Aquino’s pronouncement at the EDSA celebration yesterday that the judiciary needs to be reformed in pursuit of good governance. “Indeed people need to participate in the fight to reform government but change cannot be achieved by simply impeaching the Chief Justice and prosecuting former President Gloria Arroyo. As shown by the experience of PALEA and FASAP, the corruption and greed of the 1% affects not just the high officials of the judiciary but also of the executive and even the legislature. To give justice to PALEA and workers, we need reforms beyond Gloria and Corona,” explained Renato Magtubo, PM chair.

PALEA and PM insisted that they will not be a party to the conflict between “factions of the 1%.” Magtubo added that “We did not participate in the EDSA activities yesterday and will not join the Luneta mobilization tomorrow which are just shows of force by the opposing camps of the elite. The 99% should allow themselves to be used as cannon fodder by any of the factions of the 1%. We call on the people, especially the workers, to organize into an independent movement that will struggle for a new EDSA based on radical social change. Poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment will not be solved, albeit only worsen, with ousting presidents and impeaching chief justices. Reform will be won by changing the system.”

PALEA calls on senators to hear PAL testimony

Press Release

February 23, 2012

PALEA

The Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) called on the senators sitting as judges in the impeachement trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona to reconsider and hear the testimony of Philippine Airlines (PAL) management. PALEA also defended its lawyer, Atty. Marlon Manuel, for appearing as a private prosecutor in the trial. “We call on any of the senators who does not have a platinum card in his or her wallet to stand up for truth and move that PAL testify regarding the privileges given to CJ Corona and his wife,” said Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa.

Meanwhile more than a hundred PALEA members trooped this morning to the Department of Agrarian Reform national office in Quezon City to support scores of peasant leaders who are calling for the resolution of land reform cases, including the distribution of Hacienda Luisita. “It is the alliance of the 99%, the workers and the farmers, which will usher in change in our society that has been made rotten by the corruption and greed of the 1%,” explained Rivera.

He also insisted that the testimony of PAL VP for Sales, Enrique Javier, is relevant in Article 3 of the impeachment complaint since “The platinum card is directly related to the Pilato-num decision of the Supreme Court on the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association (FASAP) case.” Two weeks ago, PALEA had already challenged PAL to appear at the impeachment trial after FASAP president Roberto Anduiza accused CJ Corona of influencing the Supreme Court.

In reply to the House minority’s criticism of Atty. Manuel’s appearance as a private prosecutor, Rivera clarified that PALEA has no “axe to grind” and “vested interest” in ousting CJ Corona since their case against PAL’s outsourcing plan is pending at the Court of Appeals not the Supreme Court. “Rep. Danilo Suarez should get his facts right before he speaks. He might be accused of being one of the government officials given platinum cards, as defense lawyers have declared. Within PAL, it is said that only those who are FOB’s or friends of the boss receive a platinum card as a gift,” Rivera argued.

PALEA has previously staged rallies at the impeachment trial and called for “Reforms beyond Gloria and Corona.” Rivera averrred that “Corona and PNoy may be fighting over the fate of Gloria Arroyo and Hacienda Luisita but both are beholden to Lucio Tan. With a mere letter from PAL’s lawyer Estelito Mendoza, Corona’s Supreme Court recalled the ruling in favor of the 1,800 flight attendants of FASAP. But also on the mere say-so from PAL that it is losing money even when the facts deny it, Aquino’s government betrayed the 2,600 ground crew of PALEA.”

He added that “The people want to believe that the prosecution of Gloria and her minions like Corona is the start of fundamental reforms. But without any signs of real changes then such is mere wishful thinking.”

Mabuhay ang 11th anniversary ng PM

Workers' Digest on Corona Impeachment Trial

PALEA challenges PAL to testify at impeachment trial

Press Release

February 8, 2012

PALEA

The Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) held a rally at noon today to support the testimony of Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) president Roberto Anduiza who will undergo cross-examination. PALEA is challenging Philippine Airlines (PAL) management to testify too at the impeachment trial.

“PAL management should face the music. PAL employees and the Filipino people deserve to know the truth behind allegations that Lucio Tan had influenced the Supreme Court through Chief Justice Renato Corona,” said Gerry Rivera, PALEA president.

Some one hundred PALEA members picketed the Senate from 12 noon to 1:00 pm in their third straight day of keeping watch over the impeachment deliberations. Anduiza testified yesterday on Corona’s intervention in the recall of the Supreme Court decision on 1,400 flight attendants after a mere letter from PAL lawyer Estelito Mendoza. In the impeachment proceedings last week, public prosecutors accused Corona and his wife of receiving perks, including free trips abroad, from PAL.

In time for President Benigno Aquino III’s birthday, Rivera quipped that “Aquino has a heart for Grace Lee but none for PAL workers.” PALEA also raised the call “Justice for workers, Reforms beyond Gloria and Corona” as a challenge to the Aquino administration’s so-called campaign for good governance. Members of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) also joined PALEA in the rally at the Senate.

Renato Magtubo, PM chair, said that “Like the rest of the people, we want to believe that the prosecution of Gloria and her followers is the start of fundamental reforms. But without any signs of real changes then such is mere wishful thinking.”

In the press conference yesterday of the “Ang Tipo Kong Chief Justice Movement,” PALEA and PM joined the League of Cities of the Philippines and other groups in calling for people’s participation in the impeachment trial as stakeholders and not just spectators.

“We appeal to our fellow workers to raise their voices as to what standards should a Chief Justice be held to. We cannot have a Supreme Court that will recall a ruling in favor of thousands of flight attendants due to a letter from respondent’s counsel,” Rivera argued.

Magtubo explained that “As it stands now, the so-called campaign for good governance by PNoy looks no more than a factional fight among the elite. This is because there is no difference between the regimes of Arroyo and Aquino with regards to labor policy, neoliberal economics and social programs. The clash between Corona and PNoy looks more like a case of the kettle calling the teapot black and the teapot accusing the kettle of being ebony.”

PALEA calls for pro-labor Chief Justice

Press Release

February 7, 2012

PALEA

The Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) staged a picket at the Senate for the second straight day and called for a pro-labor Chief Justice. Some 100 PALEA members rallied before the start of the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona carrying placards with the message “Ang tipo naming Chief Justice ay kakampi ng maliliit hindi kakuntsaba ng mayayaman.” The rallyists also brought a giant tarpaulin emblazoned with the slogan “Reporma lagpas kay Gloria at Corona.”

The PALEA rally coincided with the press conference this morning of the “Ang Tipo Kong Chief Justice Movement” in Quezon City. In the press conference, PALEA joined the League of Cities of the Philippines and other groups in calling for people’s participation in the impeachment trial as stakeholders and not just spectators.

“We appeal to our fellow workers to raise their voices and vote with their feet as to what standards should a Chief Justice be held to. We do not deserve a Chief Justice who can be bought by the second-richest Filipino. We cannot have a Supreme Court that will recall a ruling in favor of 1,800 flight attendants due to a mere letter from Philippine Airlines (PAL) lawyer Estelito Mendoza,” explained Gerry Rivera, PALEA president.

He added that “Workers want a pro-labor Chief Justice who will make real the dictum that those who have less in life shall have more in law. But a Chief Justice is only one person who can do so much. Thus we further demand fundamental reforms in our society.”

Rivera enumerated a sample of the fundamental reforms that PALEA is seeking. First, the prosecution not just of a corrupt Chief Justice but the purging of labor dealers in the DOLE and NLRC. The imprisonment not just of an illegitimate president but the punishment of killers of labor leaders.

Second, a shift in change in the government’s labor policy so that regular jobs are protected, contractualization is stopped, wages are not frozen, and the freedoms to organize and bargain are guaranteed.

And finally, a reversal of the neoliberal economic model that has led to the collapse of domestic industry and agriculture. Instead of labor exported abroad, jobs must be generated in the country through national industrialization, land reform and agricultural modernization.

Meanwhile PALEA continues to garner international support as the US union Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, the biggest flight attendants group in the world, sent a letter of concern to the PAL office at the Los Angeles international airport (LAX). AFA-CWA held an “Occufly” protest at LAX to slam corporate greed by airline companies.

Ang Tipo ng Manggagawang Chief Justice ay Pro-Labor

Press Statement

February 7, 2012

Gerry Rivera

PALEA President

We join the call for people to become active stakeholders not just passive spectators in the ongoing impeachment trial. In particular we appeal to our fellow workers to raise their voices and vote with their feet as to what standards should a Chief Justice be held to.

We deserve a Chief Justice of a higher moral and professional caliber. Not a Chief Justice who can be bought by the second-richest Filipino. Not a Supreme Court that will recall a ruling in favor of the 1,800 flight attendants who were illegally dismissed due to a mere letter from Philippine Airlines lawyer Estelito Mendoza.

Workers need a speedy resolution of cases instead of thousands of labor cases remaining trapped in the backlog of the Supreme Court since crooked capitalists know that the wheels of justice grind ever so slowly for those without money and influence. Justice delayed is truly justice denied for workers.

Workers want a pro-labor Chief Justice. Someone who will put flesh to the Constitutional proviso that workers shall enjoy full protection.  A Chief Justice who will make real the dictum that those who have less in life shall have more in law. Ang tipo ng manggagawang Chief Justice ay kakampi ng maliliit hindi kakuntsaba ng mayayaman.

But a Chief Justice is only one person who can do so much. Even a cleansing of the entire judiciary cannot liberate the oppressed. Thus we demand fundamental reforms in our society.

Workers want not just the prosecution of Gloria Arroyo and her minions but the cleansing of all corrupt officials in the bureaucracy and further substantial changes in the political and economic system. In the face of the ongoing impeachment trial of the Chief Justice, workers demand “Reforms beyond Gloria and Corona.”

Without thoroughgoing reforms then the purging of Gloria’s followers would just pave the way for the embedding of PNoy’s own cronies in government. We want to believe that the prosecution of Gloria and her minions is the start of real reforms. But without any signs of fundamental changes then such is mere wishful thinking.

We want to see the prosecution not just of a corrupt Chief Justice but the purging of labor dealers in the DOLE and NLRC. We call not just for imprisonment of an illegitimate president but the punishment of killers of labor leaders.

We demand a change in the government’s labor policy so that regular jobs are protected, contractualization is stopped, wages are not frozen, and the freedoms to organize and bargain are guaranteed.

We call for a reversal of the neoliberal economic model that has led to the collapse of our domestic industry and agriculture. Instead of labor exported abroad, jobs must be generated in the country through national industrialization, land reform and agricultural modernization.