WHITE FRIDAY PROTEST CONTINUES

MEDIA ADVISORY

Trillion Peso March Movement

23 October 2025

Request for coverage

WHITE FRIDAY PROTEST CONTINUES

October 24, 2025

5:00 PM EDSA Shrine 

5:30 PM Ateneo Gate 2.5 Katipunan for a Prayer Rally and Noise Barrage led by ADMU Student Organizations 

SIMULTANEOUS CANDLE LIGHTING & NOISE BARRAGE

Will continue at previous locations in NCR and other cities nationwide.

All serve as build up actions in preparation for the November 30 big rally.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Trillion Peso March Movement (TPMM)

Fr. Tony Labiao – Diocese of Novaliches — 0917 103 4493

Fr. Wilmer Tria – CEAP — 0918 916 0298

Fr. Albert Delvo – MAPSA — 0917 815 1884

Atty. Howie Calleja – Spokesperson — 0918 820 1220

Judy Ann Miranda – Public Advocacy and Actions Committee — 0917 557 0777

One  Katipunan Action 

Josh Valentin - (0962) 728 4729

Simbahan Lingkod Bayan

Media Advisory: Workers to hold solidarity action tonight with Myanmar/Burma

In time for a global call of solidarity by the international labor movement, workers' organizations and social movements in the Philippines led by Partido Manggagawa, Nagkaisa and Kalipunan will hold a noise barrage tonight

Feb 11, 7pm - 8pm

Boy Scout Rotonda, Timog Ave

Contact Wilson Fortaleza @ 09452182693

MEDIA ADVISORY: UNITY RIDE FOR RIGHT TO LIVELIHOOD TODAY

On the eve of International Human Rights Day…

HUNDREDS OF RIDERS TO CONDUCT “UNITY RIDE” TO CALL FOR RIGHT TO LIVELIHOOD AND EXPANSION OF SLOTS FOR MOTORCYCLE TAXI PILOT TEST RUN

December 9, 2020 (Wednesday) 08:00 AM onwards

ASSEMBLY:
8:00 AM – University Avenue corner CP Garcia, UP Diliman, QC
TAKE-OFF (ROUTE):
9:00 AM – UP  LTFRB Main Office (QC)  DOTR Office (Ortigas) – People Power Monument

On the eve of International Human Rights Day, more than 500 motorcycle riders will conduct a “Unity Ride for Rights to Livelihood” going to the head offices of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Transportation Department tomorrow.

The groups will call on the government to expand the participants in the ongoing motorcycle pilot test run to other riders and transport players to accommodate more riders to have decent livelihood during the pandemic.
Short programs and noise barrage will be staged at the UP Diliman, LTFRB and DOTR offices.

MEDIA COVERAGE REQUESTED
Photo Opportunities Available
Contact Person Don Pangan (09953862722)

Advisory: “WALK THE TALK” for A LIFE OF DIGNITY FOR ALL

7 December 2016

MEDIA ADVISORY

Buhay na may Dignidad para sa Lahat (DIGNIDAD)

85-B Masikap Street Ext., Barangay Central, Diliman, Quezon City | Tel. # 7097833

 

Requests press coverage of its event on the occasion of HUMAN RIGHTS WEEK

“WALK THE TALK” for A LIFE OF DIGNITY FOR ALL

A community workshop and walk with messages

addressed to the Duterte Administration

 

D E C E M B E R  8, 2016

2:00 - 4:30 PM - WORKSHOP at SAN ROQUE CHAPEL

along Sebastian Street Barangay San Roque (North Triangle), Quezon City

(from Agham Road, across Philippine Science High School, enter the community through

“talipapa” near the tri-bike and tricycle terminal. From there, about 8min. walk to the chapel)

               

4:30 pm - WALK

from the Chapel to Agham Road then to Bantayog ng mga Bayani

 

5 - 5:30 pm - NOISE BARRAGE and CANDLE LIGHTING at Bantayog ng mga Bayani

 

 

Contact: Teody Gacer @ 09297181427; Ana Vitacion @09175584657

 

On the occasion of the International Human Rights Week, DIGNIDAD Coalition will hold on December 8 a community workshop and walk dubbed as “WALK the TALK” to raise people’s awareness on human rights including social and economic rights. It will also highlight people’s calls addressed to the present administration to fulfill these rights.

 

There will be a discussion with about 100 women, men, and youth in the urban poor community in North Triangle. Then participants will breakout to make a poster or any visual representation of their appreciation of human rights (placard, drawing, etc.). By 4:30pm, the workshop participants and other people in the community – carrying their outputs from the workshop (drawing, placard, etc.) – will walk from the chapel going to Agham Road, then to Bantayog ng mga Bayani. The event will culminate with a noise barrage and candle lighting.

 

For Dignidad, the biggest war of the Duterte administration should be the war against poverty and inequality. This war is crucial in eliminating drugs, criminality, and terrorism.  Many believe that his electoral victory is hugely a protest vote by the masses against the Luzon-based oligarchy and incidentally a vote to end chronic poverty, unemployment, and the social injustice stemming from the people’s lack of access to the essential requirements for a humane life. However, the development blueprint of his administration still looks sketchy. Until now, the people have yet to see a clear development program that will address the economic and social ills in the country.

 

Dignidad Coalition is a broad platform composed of 32 grassroots organizations, labor groups and other sectoral coalitions, movement‐based party‐lists and multi‐sectoral issue-based coalitions, church‐based organizations, human rights groups and academics advancing an agenda towards the realization of a life of dignity for all Filipinos. It aims to raise people’s awareness on social and economic rights and to promote programs through the campaign for a Universal, Comprehensive, and Transformative Social Protection and its eight specific demands. These demands are on work and livelihood, social/public services, food, and social security.  Among its members are: Kilos Maralita, WomanHealth, Freedom from Debt Coalition, PATAMABA, KABAPA, Coalition of Services of the Elderly, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates, NASSA, SENTRO, Partido ng Manggagawa,, Alab Katipunan, ARYA, Kilusan, Rights Network, IRDF, PKMK)

PALEA slams dagdag-bawas offer to outsourced workers

Press Release

September 6, 2011

PALEA

The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) today assailed the terms and conditions of employment being offered at service providers to laidoff Philippine Airlines (PAL) employees. “The cat is now out of the bag. Attached to the termination notices being sent out by PAL are the employment contracts at service providers. It reveals the dagdag-bawas offer to outsourced workers—less wages and benefits but more working hours,” stated Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of the Partido ng Manggagawa.

Rivera said that most PAL employees to be terminated are being offered a monthly wage of just PhP 1111.50 for working eight hours a day for six days a week. In comparison he declared that as PAL workers they work 7 ½ a day for five days a week as stipulated in the collective bargaining agreement. “Outsourced employees will be working longer hours but be receiving smaller pay. Who benefits from such sacrifice by PAL workers? Lucio Tan who as the second richest Filipino may just jump to being number one,” Rivera asserted.

Moreover, from regular employees of PAL, the outsourced workers will become contractual workers at the service providers. “PAL employees who have been working for 10, 20 or 30 years will be downgraded to probationary status for six months and after which he or she can simply be terminated after training other younger workers at the service providers,” Rivera claimed.

PALEA plans to escalate its campaign against the planned outsourcing and contractualization this week as PAL management’s September 9 deadline for workers to avail of separation package nears. Tomorrow PALEA will hold a prayer protest in the morning at the Terminal 2 chapel and then a noise barrage in the afternoon at the corner of

MIA Road

and

Sucat Road

.

Meanwhile on Thursday big labor groups and church institutions such as the CBCP-National Secretariat for Social Action will hold a press conference in support of PALEA. Then on Saturday PALEA will hold a “family day” where spouses and children of PAL employees can express and voice their sentiments on the planned layoff and outsourcing.

“PAL already earned a net profit of USD 72.5 million last fiscal year apart from paying its loans obligation of USD 46.5 million in 2010. Apparently PhP 5 billion in income in not enough for Lucio Tan that he has to depress the wages and working conditions of PAL workers by turning them into contractual workers at service providers,” Rivera added.

Women workers hold noise barrage for RH bill

PRESS RELEASE
4 March 2011

Women members of the Partido ng Manggagawa held a noise barrage for the RH bill bringing with them makeshift air-conditioners, bags of ice and folding fans in response to the cancellation of sessions at the House of Representatives since Tuesday.

“Women workers have brought whatever air-conditioning amenities that members of the House of Representatives need just so the plenary debates on RH can proceed. This symbolizes the exigency of the bill’s passage given that eleven (11) poor women, including teenagers, are dying every day from pregnancy and birth delivery complications,” explained PM Secretary General Judy Ann Chan-Miranda.

From a leaders assembly of women workers at the Department of Agriculture AIT Building in the morning, PM members marched to Philcoa for the noise barrage at 1:00pm. In preparation for the Women’s Day commemoration, the assembly discussed pressing concerns of women workers’ such as the RH bill, the security of tenure bill and the plight of migrant workers.

“We are deeply concerned with the increasing rate of teenage pregnancy. The Philippines, according to the World Bank, is among the Top 10 countries where there are an increasing number of teenage mothers (3.6 million). Seven out of every 10 women who are pregnant are teenagers. More often than not, these teenagers come from poor and working class families. We could just imagine how difficult life would be for these young women,” added Miranda.

PM believes that through age-appropriate sexuality and reproductive health education, young women especially, will learn the risks of early pregnancy and, thus, try to avoid unsound sexual decisions. “It is really important that the State provide the necessary preparation for teenagers to cope with puberty and sexual development through sex education,” stressed Miranda.

On March 8, hundreds of PM members including the youth will assemble by 1:00 at St. Peter’s Cathedral along Commonwealth Ave. then march on to Batasang Pambansa for the big rally in support of the RH bill.

Anti-contractualization group holds local noise barrage in support of PALEA

PRESS RELEASE
KOALISYON LABAN SA KONTRAKTWALISASYON
09 November 2010

Members of the Koalisyon Laban sa Kontraktwalisasyon (KONTRA) staged localized mass actions in the form of noise barrage this morning in several crowded areas in Metro Manila in support of Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) members’ struggle against mass layoff and contractualization.

The first noise barrage between was held between 8:00am – 9:00 am at Pasay Rotonda. Members of PALEA distributed thousands of flyers to commuters and passersby calling on the public to support their struggle against the contractualization policy in PAL as well as in other industry.

In Bicutan Interchange, members of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) and Manggagawa para sa Kalayaan ng Bayan (Makabayan) led the second noise barrage calling for the resignation of Labor Sec. Baldoz and the intervention of P-Noy in the PAL-PALEA dispute.

The noise barrages started a week-long series of protests that will culminate in PALEA’s filing of appeal at the Court of Appeals on Friday to reverse the Baldoz decision. KONTRA is also joining Friday’s synchronized picket by PALEA of DOLE’s Regional offices in Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu, Davao, Dipolog, General Santos City, and Zamboanga.

Tondo urban poor hold noise barrage as build up for SONA protests

Press Release
July 25, 2009

Urban poor from Tondo, Manila held a community march around the area and then held at 5 p.m. along the R-10 road in Mabuhay a noise barrage against the plan to convene a constituent assembly and the threat of martial law. The noise barrage of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) and the Zone One Tondo Organization (ZOTO), the oldest urban poor group in the country, is part of a build up for the counter-SONA protests on July 27 by the groups Laban ng Masa and TindigNation.

“We give Gloria Arroyo a failing grade of 5.0 for in the eight years of her term the plight of the poor have worsened. The poor do not feel any improvement. Our lives have changed but for the worse. More people are hungry not just poor, desperate not just hopeless. The poor cannot eat the positive GNP that government was bragging about the start of the global crisis,” argued Melba Arquisola, president of the ZOTO-Tondo chapter.

Protesters wore masks similar to those used in the Moriones festival to elicit the attention and support of bystanders. Tondo residents warmly received the protesters as the community march made its way from the inner streets to the R-10 road. The noise barrage at Mabuhay was enthusiastically welcomed by passers by and even drivers who honked their vehicle horns as a sign of support. The theme of the pre-SONA protests was opposition to the planned convening of a constituent assembly and the threat of the imposition of martial law.

Neneng Racines, a leader of PM-Tondo chapter, stated, “We should defend our freedoms and rights which is bound to be taken away in the event of the imposition of martial law. If the threat of martial law does not come to pass it can only be because of the people’s protests such as this noise barrage. We should make noise today or else tomorrow we will wake up with Gloria Arroyo retaining power forever as prime minister or a new dictator.”

“The mass actions today are not just a build up for the counter-SONA protest on Monday but also a preview of the nationwide outrage that will erupt in case the planned con-ass is actually summoned or martial law is truly imposed. We should defend our freedoms and rights that will be taken away in the event of the imposition of martial law. If the threat of martial law does not come to pass it can only be because of the people’s protests such as this noise barrage,” insisted Arquisola.

Workers lead nationwide pre-SONA protests vs. con-ass and martial law

Press Release
July 24, 2009

Militant workers and poor led many of the pre-SONA noise barrages launched today as a build up to the SONA protest on Monday. The theme of the pre-SONA protests was opposition to the planned convening of a constituent assembly and the threat of the imposition of martial law.

Renato Magtubo, national chairperson of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), averred “Between Avelino Cruz’s analysis and Ronaldo Puno’s denial, the former is more believable as far as the threat of martial law is concerned. Puno is just a palace sycophant who keeps on praising her empress while Cruz is the brave boy who told the ugly truth that the empress was actually not wearing any clothes. But the workers would go beyond Cruz’s advice to the soldiers not to follow illegal orders. The workers ask the soldiers to follow their conscience and support the people in the event they will overthrow a would-be dictator who plots to rule forever.”

PM joined other labor groups that are part of Manggagawa Kontra Chacha in a noise barrage in the early evening at Timog corner Morato in Quezon City. In the afternoon, hundreds of members of Fortune Tobacco Labor Union marched from the factory at Parang, Marikina to the busy area of Concepcion Church. Similar noise barrages were held in other working class areas like the Cavite Economic Zone in the town of Rosario, the Bicutan Market at Bicutan Interchange in the SLEX, 5th Avenue in Caloocan proper, Bukid Area in Caloocan City and Shopwise in Antipolo City.

Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary general, stated, “Today the working class marches side by side with the middle class in indignation at Gloria Arroyo’s attempt to extend her term. So while students of Ateneo take time to protest outside the campus, the workers march from their factories and the poor demonstrate at their communities for the common agenda of defending civil liberties and resisting the return of dictatorship.”

Simultaneous protests were also staged in the cities of Ilo-ilo, Bacolod, Cebu, Davao, General Santos City, Iligan City and in Cabanatuan City where students and faculty of Wesleyan University held a noise barrage in the afternoon.

“The mass actions today are not just a build up for the counter-SONA protest on Monday but also a preview of the nationwide outrage that will erupt in case the planned con-ass is actually summoned or martial law is truly impose. We should defend our freedoms and rights that will be taken away in the event of the imposition of martial law. If the threat of martial law does not come to pass it can only be because of the people’s protests such as this noise barrage,” insisted Miranda.

Urban poor hold noise barrage as build up for SONA protests

Press Release
July 22, 2009

More than a hundred urban poor from Paranaque trooped to the Bicutan market at the South Luzon Expressway interchange this afternoon and held a noise barrage in the early evening against the plan to convene a constituent assembly and the threat of martial law. The 6 p.m. noise barrage of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP) and Tucuma Federation is part of a build up for the counter-SONA protests on July 27 by the group TindigNation and is a preview of the nationwide mass actions on Friday.

“We call on our fellow workers and Filipinos to join the noise barrage this afternoon and on Friday to show to the government our collective outrage against con-ass and martial law,” explained Robert Labrador, president of Tucuma Federation, community organization in Paranaque.

The mass action today started with a march from the Tucuma community at Barangay Merville. The Paranaque residents warmly received the protesters as the march made its way from the inner streets of Merville to the Bicutan interchange. The noise barrage at the Bicutan market was enthusiastically welcomed by passers by and even drivers who honked their vehicle horns as a sign of support.

Among the protests that will be part of the Friday nationwide mass actions are noise barrages in Welcome Rotonda by the Manggagawa Kontra Chacha, and PM-sponsored activities by hundreds of Fortune Tobacco workers at Marikina, Valenzuela unionists at Malinta exit, Rizal urban poor at Antipolo, and students and faculty in Cabanatuan City.

Romy Cabugnason, spokesperson of AMP, stated, “We should defend our freedoms and rights which is bound to be taken away in the event of the imposition of martial law. If the threat of martial law does not come to pass it can only be because of the people’s protests such as this noise barrage. We should make noise today or else tomorrow we will wake up with Gloria Arroyo retaining power forever as prime minister or a new dictator.”

Judy Ann Miranda, secretary general of PM, added, “National Security Adviser Bert Gonzales is not making a secret of but instead actively campaigning for his proposal of no-election and a transition government. Gloria Arroyo will remain in power as a member of the transition government. What Gonzales is not saying is that a no-election scenario and a transition government can only come in being on the crest a chaotic situation. So even while the bombings have stopped, speculation still abound as to who are its masterminds and if its part of a scenario building exercise."

Las Pinas urban poor march on City Hall vs. demolitions, hold noise barrage vs. con-ass

Press Release
July 9, 2009
Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino

Some 300 urban poor marched early this afternoon on the Las Pinas city hall in time for a city council session to demand a local moratorium on demolitions. The march-rally was spearheaded by community organizations at Manggahan in Brgy. Pamplona II and Veraville in Brgy. Pulang Lupa II. The Manggahan community is under threat of eviction while the depressed area of Veraviile has been the scene of several violent demolitions in the last three months.

“We ask that a local moratorium on demolitions be passed by the Las Pinas city council in view of the violent demolitions and the threat of more evictions. A local moratorium will be in line with the recommendation by the Commission on Human Rights as per Resolution (1v) No. A2008-052,” stated Robert Labrador of the Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP).

After the rally at the city hall, the urban poor marched back to Brgy. Pamplona II around 5 p.m. for a noise barrage against con-ass and cha-cha. Labrador stated that “This noise barrage is part of the build up activity for the State of the Nation protests. The noise of the people’s protests should drown out the sound of bombs exploding that is meant to scare the masses. We call on the people to defend their democratic rights and oppose martial law or a state of emergency. The people should make noise today or else we will wake up tomorrow with Gloria Arroyo remaining in power forever as prime minister.”

The Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) is also demanding a moratorium on evictions in the face of the violent demolitions. “We ask that Malacanang declare a moratorium on demolitions and a ban on violent evictions. The least that government can do in the midst of the economic crisis is to refrain from destroying the houses and livelihoods of the poor,” stated Renato Magtubo, chairperson of PM.

“The UDHA provides that no demolition can proceed without relocation provided the urban poor. Honest to goodness negotiations with the community must be conducted for decent relocation. Residents are resisting and fighting evictions because they are being relocated to death zones where there are no livelihood and services,” explained Magtubo.

APM and AMP are pushing for a 5-point demand in response to the crisis: (1) Moratorium on demolitions and ban on violent evictions; (2) Condonation of penalties and interests on low-cost and socialized housing loans. Draft a pro-poor implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act 9507 or Socialized and Low-Cost Housing Loan Restructuring Act of 2008; (3) Jobs for the 3 million unemployed. Reform and expand the public employment program; (4) Allot 20% of the land in housing projects for socialized housing as provided for in the UDHA. Thus on-site relocation will be possible and the urban poor need not be relocated to undeveloped areas without services and jobs; and (5) Shift the bulk of the P330 billion fund for the stimulus plan to direct support and social services to the poor instead of infrastructure projects which benefits principally contractors and business.

Hundreds of workers hold noise barrage vs. con-ass, say “show indignation to stop the titillation”

Press Release
June 19, 2009

Different labor groups under the umbrella of the newly formed Manggagawa Kontra Cha-Cha held a labor forum this afternoon and then organized a noise barrage in the early evening. Renato Magtubo, chairperson of Partido ng Manggagawa and a convenor of the Manggagawa Kontra Cha-Cha said that “The people must show indignation to stop GMA’s titillation of the nation. FVR should join the protests against con-ass if she wants GMA to reveal her plans. Yet the indignation versus cha-cha should aim not just to oblige GMA to express her political intentions but force a retreat from her term extension plan.”

The Manggagawa Kontra Cha-Cha met at the UP School of Labor and Industrial Relations (SOLAIR) from 1 to 5 p.m. to consolidate organized labor’s position on con-ass. The labor groups explained that they oppose con-ass not simply because they resist GMA’s term extension but also because they fight the neoliberal agenda behind cha-cha.

Magtubo explained that “There are those in the broad movement against con-ass who approve of cha-cha for the purpose of abolishing the protectionist provisions and oppose merely GMA’s term extension. The workers however resist both perpetuating GMA in power forever and removing the protectionist provisions of the Constitution. The working class oppose cha-cha not to defend the elite democracy enshrined in the 1987 Constitution but to protect the progressive provisions on national patrimony and labor rights.”

At the end of the forum, the 200 participants marched from SOLAIR to Philcoa for the noise barrage. Members of PM made noise using tools of production used by workers such as hammers, pliers and metal sheets to symbolize labor’s resistance to charter change. The noise barrage is part of labor-led protests calling for government action on the economic recession instead of charter revision.

“Government must act on the demand for social protection for the workers instead of term extension for GMA. Today union members in the giant Keppel shipyard in Cebu went on strike while workers in the big Mactan Export Processing Zone have been holding daily protests. The challenge that government must solve is the recession not the Constitution,” insisted Magtubo.

In their manifesto, it is stated that “The workers march side by side with the multisectoral movement against con-ass but build a parallel movement with independent demands for labor protection and economic protectionism. The workers add their voice to the people’s indignation over con-ass even as we air our own slogans for system change instead of charter change.”

Noise barrage today at two NCR chokepoints continue labor-led protests vs. con-ass

Press Release
June 9, 2009

The militant Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) will lead the noise barrage at two chokepoints in Metro Manila today as labor-led protests against con-ass and cha-cha continued. At 2 p.m. some 300 urban poor will mobilize at Paranaque. While at 6 p.m. another group of 300 Manila residents and PM members will hold a separate noise barrage.

“The distrust and disapproval ratings of Gloria Arroyo are an early plebiscite on cha-cha. That one in every two Filipinos distrust and disapprove of Gloria Arroyo expresses the people’s rejection of the attempt to extend her term through con-ass,” argued Renato Magtubo, PM chairperson.

Members of PM and Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino in Paranaque marched from their communities to the Bicutan palengke at the Bicutan interchange for the noise barrage. Residents of the Balic-Balic community led by the Holy Trinity Parish priest Fr. Erik Adoviso will be joined by PM members for the noise barrage at Welcome Rotonda. Fr. Erik Adoviso is head of the Archbishop of Manila Labor Ministry.

“We appeal to religious leaders to reject the courting from Malacanang and to stand firm against con-ass. The sweet talk from Malacanang is mere double talk. The workers protests are in response to the Catholic Church’s call versus con-ass and are parallel to multisectoral movement against cha-cha. The working class adds its voice to the people’s indignation over the railroading of con-ass and the desperate attempt to extend GMA’s term,” explained Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary general.

She stated that “We call on the people to make noise today or else we will wake up tomorrow with Gloria Arroyo remaining in power as prime minister. She is already earnestly campaigning with 15 trips to Pampanga in less than four months or once a week. There is no other reason for Gloria Arroyo’s visits except to woo voters for a run at the congressional seat now occupied by her son. Gloria Arroyo as a prime minister means the old dog returning with a new collar.”

“The denials of the trapos who sponsored signed Resolution 1109 cannot be believed like the generals who talk of peace even as they prepare for war. The 2010 polls that Nograles and others speak of will be elections for the members of parliament not a new president,” insisted Magtubo.

“Revising the Constitution will pave the way not just for GMA’s perpetuation in power but also the annihilation of the token protection for labor rights and national patrimony that remains in the Constitution,” Magtubo clarified as the basis for labor’s opposition to cha-cha.

Export zone workers march vs. con-ass, call for action on economic recession instead of charter revision

Press Release
June 8, 2009

Some 300 factory workers and community residents marched around the Cavite Economic Zone in the town of Rosario to express outrage over the passage of Resolution 1109. “The workers protests are in response to the multisectoral movement against cha-cha and the Catholic Church’s call versus con-ass. The working class adds its voice to the people’s indignation over the railroading of con-ass and the desperate attempt to extend GMA’s term,” stated Dennis Sequena, Partido ng Manggagawa (PM)-Cavite chairperson.

Members of the Rosario Workers Association (RWA), United Cavite Workers Association and Samahang Nagkakaisa ng Cavite led two contingents that met around 10 a.m. at the main gate of the Cavite Economic Zone then marched around the export zone. The first group came from the towns of Gen. Trias and Tanza, and assembled at Tejero. The second contingent came from the towns of Rosario, Kawit and Cavite City, and gathered at the Rosario Municipal Hall.

Marites Manjares of RWA argued that “The workers call on Congress to retreat from changing the Constitution and instead act on the economic recession. The recession has been overshadowed by other sensational news but it is a threat worse than the outbreak of the AH1N1 virus while the epidemic of layoffs is a worse scandal than the Hayden-Katrina sex video.”

PM renewed its call for a workers bailout in order to stimulate the economy and counter the recession. The group is calling for tax refund, unemployment insurance and direct subsidies to displaced employees and poor people in to order to “put money in the hands of workers and the poor” and revive consumer demand.

“Resolution 1109 may be one small step for her allies in the House of Representatives but it is a giant leap for GMA. It may not be long now when the people will wake up one morning to be greeted by a Prime Minister GMA. Con-ass is the illegitimate child of the Lakas-Kampi marriage and the secret godchild of Gloria Arroyo. It is a GMA-PALAKA outrage that is worse than the sex videos,” Manjares added.

Sequena expained that “Revising the Constitution will pave the way not just for GMA’s perpetuation in power but also the annihilation of the token protection for labor rights and national patrimony that remains in the Constitution.”

Tomorrow the urban poor will hold a noise barrage at the Bicutan Interchange in Paranaque to call on Congress to withdraw the con-ass move. Affiliates of the Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino and PM in Paranaque will march from their communities to the Bicutan palengke at the Bicutan Interchange. They will hold a noise barrage to call for a stop to con-ass and the scrapping of cha-cha.

Lakbayan ng Manggagawa merges with farmers march, calls for “Social change not charter change”

Press Release
December 10, 2008

The Lakbayan ng Manggagawa merged today with the farmers march for a joint mobilization at the Batasang Pambansa with the call “Maralita Magkaisa, Baguhin ang Sistema (Poor Unite and Fight for Social Change).” The Lakbayan ng Manggagawa by a thousand factory workers and urban started yesterday from Zapote Bacoor, passed by Redemptorist Church in Baclaran, marched through Taft and Espana in Manila and then made an overnight vigil at the Claret School in QC.

“The merging of the Lakbayan ng Manggagawa and the farmers march is an expression of the basic alliance between the workers and farmers. A one-two punch by the workers and farmers will provide the knock-out blow against the rotten system and pave the way for social change,” stated Renato Magtubo, chairperson of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).

The Lakbayan ng Manggagawa made a final stop at the main office of the NHA for a noise barrage at 9 a.m. to air the poor’s grievances at the failed housing program of the government. Fr. Buddy Agualada, school head of Claret, and scores of Claret students and personnel joined the workers and poor in the NHA protest.

“The sanctuary provided by the church to the Lakbayan marchers and the support of ordinary Filipinos to our demands is in sharp contrast to Malacanang and Congress which are deaf and blind to the opposition of the people to charter change. Rather than focusing on chacha in order to remove the protectionist provisions of the constitution, the government must instead prioritize protection for the workers and the poor so they could deal with the global crisis,” explained Magtubo.

The Lakbayan ng Manggagawa then proceeded to Philcoa where it combined with the peasant marchers. By 10 a.m. the workers and farmers marched together to the St. Peter Cathedral along Commonwealth Ave. for a mass be officiated by Catholic bishops at noon. The big mobilization then proceeded to the Batasan Pambansa for a program at the gates to pressure Congress to pass the proposed bill for CARP extension.

The Lakbayan ng Manggagawa participants came from PM, Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino, Zone One Tondo Organization, Samahang Nagkakaisa ng Cavite, United Cavite Workers Association and unions of Valenzuela City. PM supports the peasants’ campaign for a continuation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and slams the inaction of Congress on the proposed bill for extension. The group is also demanding that Congress and Malacanang enact a bailout at stimulus package for workers and poor.

Noise barrage held today as prelude to Lakbayan ng Manggagawa tomorrow

Press Release
December 8, 2008

A noise barrage held today in different parts of Metro Manila called for “social change not charter change.” The coordinated activity was a build up for the Lakbayan ng Manggagawa that will start tomorrow and then merge with the peasant marchers on Wednesday for a big joint mobilization.

The coordinated noise barrage was launched in the following five points in Metro Manila: NHA, Elliptical Road, QC; Sto. Nino Church, Tondo, Manila; Bicutan Interchange, Paranaque; Sangandaan, Caloocan; and Royal Mall, Malinta Exit, Valenzuela. The noise barrage commenced at 5 p.m. except the NHA activity which was held earlier at 1 p.m. A hundred workers and poor in every one of the five areas banged pots and pans to dramatize their protest.

“Instead of railroading chacha, Malacanang and Congress should push for a bailout of the workers and the poor in the face of the global economic crisis,” stated Renato Magtubo, chairperson of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), one of the organizations involved in the noise barrage. He also welcomed the TUCP’s opposition to chacha but added that “We only ask that they match their words with deeds. They should join the urban and rural poor joint rally on Wednesday.”

PM will lead the Lakbayan ng Manggagawa on Tuesday that will involve more than a thousand members of Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino, Zone One Tondo Organization, Samahang Nagkakaisa ng Cavite at United Cavite Workers Association. The Lakbayan marchers will pass through various points of Metro Manila and hold an overnight vigil at an undisclosed church compound. On Wednesday the Lakbayan ng Manggagawa will resume and combine with the farmer mobilization that will troop to the Batasan Pambansa.

“The merging of forces of the workers and the peasants, of the urban and rural poor, is a response to the call of the Catholic bishops for social change. An alliance between the workers and the peasants is the necessary condition for changing Philippine society. Nothing is impossible if the workers and farmers unite and fight,” asserted Magtubo.

PM declared its support for the farmers demand for an extension of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and condemnation of the landlord resistance. Meanwhile the group is campaigning for a bailout at stimulus package for workers and poor. Magtubo explained that “SSS, GSIS and the OWWA must release funds sufficient to subsidize all private sector workers, government employees and OFW’s who will be laid off due to the crisis that should last until they find a new job up to a maximum of 6 months. Government must also declare a tax rebate for all workers equivalent to 2 months wage, in effect giving them a 14th and 15th month salary. And a public employment program must be established for the four million unemployed even before the onset of the present crisis.”