KAGULONG Fears Loss of Livelihood for Riders following LTFRB Ruling against MOVE IT

Riders group Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong (KAGULONG) fears that thousands of motorcycle taxi riders could lose their livelihoods following the decision of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) against MOVE IT PH.

 

The group complained that the government chooses to regulate the number of motorcycles and the jobs themselves, rather than the labor standards and employment relations of riders in every platform, as well as the welfare of the riding public, who are made to suffer because of the country's dysfunctional and inadequate mass transportation system. This comes alongside the rising cost of living and unemployment crisis, the threat of super El Niño, and lack of government’s employment programs, including public employment.

 

According to the LTFRB's decision, MOVE IT is authorized to have only 17,746 rider-partners operating in Metro Manila, Cebu City, and Cagayan de Oro City. However, based on records submitted by the company, its actual number of registered riders reached 73,321.

 

As a result, the LTFRB imposed a fine of ₱555.75 million on motorcycle taxi platform MOVE IT for retaining 55,575 rider-partners beyond its authorized limit.

 

According to Don Pangan, Secretary General of KAGULONG, "Our concern stems from the possibility that, given the enormous amount of the fine, the company might decide to shut down altogether. What will happen to the 73,000 riders whose current livelihood depends on working as motorcycle taxi riders under MOVE IT?"

 

Pangan added, "Even if MOVE IT continues operating and accepts the ruling, 55,575 riders will still have no assurance that they can continue earning a living. Under the new implementing guidelines, the rider cap will remain in place, limiting the number of riders allowed to operate under MOVE IT to just 17,746."

 

KAGULONG maintains that the riders should not be blamed for the over boarding violation and insists that, regardless of what happens, no one should lose their livelihood. The group warned that thousands of families could go hungry if these riders lose their jobs.

 

The organization also argued that over boarding should not be considered a problem, pointing out that in Metro Manila alone, approximately 70% of the population relies on public transportation. According to the group, the current number of operating motorcycle taxi riders is still insufficient to meet the demand for public transportation services.

 

KAGULONG is also calling for an investigation into other Motorcycle Taxi Platform Providers (MTTPs), as there is a strong possibility that they have also exceeded their respective rider caps.

 

"We have received reports that JoyRide has also exceeded its rider cap by 10,000, while Angkas has exceeded its limit by 50,000," Don Pangan concluded.

PRESS RELEASE

Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong (KAGULONG)

03 November 2026 

LABOR GROUP CALL FOR RESIGNATION OF FASHION URBAN POOR COMMISSIONER

Partido Manggagawa (PM) calls for the resignation of urban poor commissioner, Zofia Canlas, at the center of the reported Paris fashion photo shoot controversy, describing the display of luxury and privilege as a gross insult to millions of Filipinos struggling to survive the worsening cost-of-living crisis.

 

“Fashion photo shoot sa Paris habang survival show ang buhay ng maralitang Pilipino! Habang ang mahihirap ay naghahanap ng pambili ng bigas, ang kanilang commissioner ay nagpapakasarap sa fashion capital of the world. What an outrageous display of insensitivity and misplaced priorities!” declared PM Secretary General Judy Miranda.

 

For PM, the issue is not simply whether the trip was official or personal, or whether public funds were used. It is an issue of propriety as a public official, even if travel is personal.

 

“Personal travel does not excuse public insensitivity. You cannot represent the urban poor in the anti-poverty commission and appear completely detached from the poverty, hunger, and daily suffering of the very people you are supposed to serve,” Miranda stressed.

 

The controversy becomes even more offensive against the backdrop of worsening economic hardship, not only in the Philippines but also in France, where protests have highlighted deep public discontent over economic and social conditions, including crises on education and housing. 

 

Paris may be the city of lights, but no amount of glamour can conceal the darkness of poverty and inequality.

 

PM also noted the disturbing symbolism of Paris becoming associated with Filipino political personalities facing controversies back home. Names such as Zaldy Co and the mother-and-son political figures Loren Legarda and Leandro Leviste have figured in public controversies of different kinds. 

 

“Paris seems to have become a symbol of comfort and privilege for some members of the political elite, while ordinary Filipinos have nowhere to escape from hunger, low wages, and rising prices. Ang mahirap, walang luxury of escape. Araw-araw nilang hinaharap ang krisis,” Miranda added.

 

The mandate of an urban poor commissioner at PCUP is to champion decent housing, livelihood, social protection, and the rights and welfare of marginalized communities—not to become a symbol of the elite lifestyle that stands in stark contrast to their suffering.

 

This is not a question of fashion. It is a question of fitness for public office.

 

“Kung mas komportable ka sa Paris fashion scene kaysa sa realidad ng mga maralitang Pilipino, then you have no business representing them in government as you have become a symbol of privilege and detachment,” Miranda said.

 

PM calls on the commissioner to resign. The public deserves a full explanation of the trip, including its funding. 

 

“Hindi sapat na sabihing personal trip lang ito. Public office, even in the form of patronage from the appointing officer, is not a passport to privilege. Kung wala ka nang malasakit at pakiramdam sa kalagayan ng mahihirap, magbitiw ka na!”

 

PM, however, doubted President Marcos would order her expulsion from the Commission as he himself watched the recent F1 show in Singapore while the country is suffering from high inflation. 

 

“Pero dapat ikahiya mismo ni BBM ang pag-appoint sa tulad niya. Kung hindi ay pareho lang silang kahiya-hiya sa mata ng publiko.”

 

PRESS STATEMENT

20 October 2026

 

SARA DESERVES ENDO, WORKERS DESERVE REGULARIZATION! — PM

Joining the People’s Assembly rally at the Senate this morning, Partido Manggagawa (PM) called for the conviction and removal from office of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying that public office must never become a license for personal enrichment, abuse of power, and political entitlement.

 

“Sa aming pananaw, malinaw na naipakita ng prosecution, sa kanilang pagtatapos ng presentasyon, ang mga batayan ng culpable violation of the Constitution at iba pang mga batas kaugnay ng undeclared at unexplained wealth. Hindi pwedeng gawing personal na negosyo ang isang pampublikong posisyon. Public office is a public trust, not a family enterprise,” said Judy Miranda, Secretary General of Partido Manggagawa.

 

PM drew a sharp parallel between the temporary tenure of the Vice President and the contractual employment endured by millions of Filipino workers.

 

“Sara Duterte deserves endo, while workers deserve regularization! Ang OVP ay isang opisina na may takdang termino. Parang endo rin—may expiration ang kontrata. Pero napakalaki ng pagkakaiba. Ang ordinaryong contractual worker ay mababa ang sahod, walang security of tenure, at madaling tanggalin. Samantalang ang Bise Presidente ay may napakalaking pribilehiyo, kapangyarihan at public resources. Sa kaso ni Sara Duterte, naniniwala kaming inabuso ang mga pribilehiyong ito to the max para sa pagpapayaman ng sarili at pamilya,” Miranda said.

 

“Ang mga manggagawa, kahit matagal nang nagtatrabaho at lumilikha ng yaman, ay pinagkakaitan ng regular na trabaho at living wage. Samantalang ang mga opisyal na pinagkatiwalaan ng kapangyarihan at pondo ng bayan ay kailangang managot kapag inabuso ang tiwalang ito. Workers deserve job security, while public officials who betray the people’s trust deserve removal and accountability,” she added.

 

PM warned that Duterte’s continued hold on political power poses a threat to national security and democracy. Allowing her to escape accountability and potentially secure a ticket to the presidency is the last thing the country needs.

 

“Hindi kailangan ng bansa ang isa pang Duterte presidency. Pero hindi rin solusyon ang pagpapalit lamang ng Duterte dynasty ng isa pang political dynasty. Pareho silang bahagi ng sistemang ginagawang family business ang gobyerno habang nananatiling contractual, underpaid at walang proteksyon ang mga manggagawa,” Miranda stressed.

 

For PM, accountability must go beyond individual politicians and confront the political and economic system that perpetuates dynastic rule, corruption, inequality, and exploitation.

 

“Sara deserves endo. Workers deserve regularization. Political dynasties deserve abolition. Hindi lang pagpapalit ng mukha sa Malacañang ang kailangan ng bansa. Ang tunay na pagbabago ay bagong sistema, walang political dynasties, at may mga lider na tunay na makamanggagawa,” Miranda concluded.

 Partido Manggagawa

12 October 2026

PM: P45 CALABARZON WAGE HIKE WELCOME BUT FAR FROM LIVING WAGE

WORKERS RACE AGAINST RISING PRICES WHILE MARCOS WATCHES F1

 

Partido Manggagawa (PM) welcomed the new wage order granting workers in CALABARZON an increase of up to P45 a day but warned that the adjustment remains far below what working families need to live decently.

 

“Every peso matters to workers struggling to make ends meet. But P45 is hardly enough when food, electricity, transportation and other basic necessities continue to eat up a family’s income. Workers deserve more than wages that barely keep them above water,” said PM Chairperson Renato Magtubo.

 

Under Wage Order IVA-23, minimum wages in CALABARZON will rise to P550–P645 starting October 26, covering approximately 1.56 million workers.

 

Magtubo pointed out that the highest minimum wage of P645 is still just half the P1,207 daily living wage of the Asia Floor Wage Alliance for a Filipino family of five[1]. This leaves a staggering P562 daily gap between what workers earn and what their families actually need.

 

Even against the government’s modest poverty threshold of P14,634 a month, minimum wages remain inadequate. At 22 working days, P645 translates to only P14,190 monthly, while P550 amounts to just P12,100, before mandatory deductions.

 

“The absurdity is that workers in Cavite, Laguna and Rizal face practically the same high cost of living as those in Metro Manila, yet the highest minimum wage in CALABARZON remains P110 lower than NCR’s P755. Geography has become an excuse for paying workers less,” Magtubo said.

 

PM also warned that the recently approved Meralco distribution rate increase threatens to further squeeze household budgets, potentially wiping out part of the already meager wage adjustment.

 

“What workers gain from a small wage increase can easily disappear into higher electricity bills and food prices. The government cannot keep celebrating wage adjustments while allowing the cost of living to outrun workers’ incomes,” Magtubo added.

 

The labor leader also criticized the sharp contrast between the daily struggles of workers and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s attendance at the Formula 1 race in Singapore, which administration officials defended as an opportunity to attract investments.

 

“While the President watches Formula 1 in Singapore, Filipino workers are running a very different race—the daily race against hunger, unpaid bills and rising prices. The government talks about investment opportunities, but where are the opportunities for workers to earn a decent living?” Magtubo asked.

 

PM noted that wage increases across the country’s 17 regions this year have ranged from P20 to P60, averaging just P39, according to NWPC figures. These adjustments are quickly eroded by inflation and the rising cost of essential services.

 

“For more than three decades, the regional wage-setting system has kept minimum wages at poverty levels in many parts of the country. Instead of closing the gap between wages and living costs, it has institutionalized regional wage inequality. This system has failed workers,” Magtubo stressed.

 

PM reiterated its demand to abolish the regional wage boards established under Republic Act 6727 and replace the fragmented wage-setting system with a national minimum wage anchored on the actual cost of living.

 

“Workers do not need another round of explanations about why wage increases must remain small. They need wages that can feed their families, pay their bills and provide a decent life. A living wage is not a privilege. It is a right,” Magtubo concluded.

 

MEDIA RELEASE

11 October 2026

 

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[1] PM participated in the AFWA survey to calculate the living wage in Asia based on a 3,000 calories daily diet: https://asia.floorwage.org/living-wage/calculating-a-living-wage/

END THE U.S. BLOCKADE OF CUBA! DEFEND THE SOVEREIGNTY AND SELF-DETERMINATION OF ALL NATIONS!

Groups held a solidarity rally yesterday in Quezon City: https://www.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa/posts/pfbid0j1nNctstoG9ihXSs8AvnLX5cqKQHyzKuL1zcogWscaxpqnMQNuJait4RoyAvTdFvl

Partido Manggagawa (PM) stands in solidarity with the Cuban people in their continuing struggle against more than six decades of economic blockade imposed by the United States. Cuba is a sovereign and independent nation, having liberated itself from the U.S.-backed Batista dictatorship through the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959.

 

The Cuban Revolution was the sovereign will of the Cuban people. The independent state they established in its aftermath is recognized by the international community. Their right to determine their own political, economic, and social future belongs to them alone. No foreign power has the right to dictate their destiny or undermine their independence.

Yet for more than six decades, the United States has done precisely that.

 

The U.S. economic blockade against Cuba is a blatant assault on national sovereignty and the Cuban people's fundamental right to live freely, develop their economy, and engage in peaceful relations and trade with the rest of the world.

 

No words can adequately capture the enormous economic hardship, political pressure, and human suffering inflicted upon the Cuban people by this prolonged blockade. It is nothing less than economic coercion, political intimidation, and imperialist oppression directed against a nation that has refused to surrender its independence.

 

Cuba has not bowed to these impositions. Despite decades of relentless pressure, the Cuban people have stood firm in defending their sovereignty and right to self-determination. But their resistance does not diminish the enormous costs of the blockade, which has brought nothing beneficial to the Cuban people or humanity. Its continued enforcement runs counter to the principles of sovereign equality, non-intervention, and human rights enshrined in the United Nations Charter and international law.

 

This is why international solidarity is not merely a political expression but an urgent responsibility. Workers and peoples across the world must unite in defending Cuba's independence, demanding an end to the blockade, and upholding the right of every nation to determine its own future free from foreign domination.

 

The struggle of Cuba is inseparable from the broader struggle against imperialist intervention, aggression, and the denial of national self-determination. It is time for the international community to intensify its condemnation of the United States' coercive and aggressive policies, including its actions against Venezuela and Iran, and its continued support for Israel's genocidal assault on the Palestinian people and military aggression against Lebanon.

 

For Partido Manggagawa, solidarity with Cuba is part of the international working-class struggle against imperialism, oppression, and the domination of powerful nations over weaker states. No people should be punished for choosing their own path of development. No nation should be forced into submission through economic strangulation.

 Partido Manggagawa

11 October 2026