NO TRANSPARENCY, NO DEAL!

The digital economy is booming, but the riders who keep it moving are being left behind!

 

Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong (KAGULONG) questions the lack of transparency and workers’ participation in the negotiations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA). How can ASEAN claim to build an inclusive digital economy when motorcycle taxi riders, delivery riders, and other platform workers—the very people who keep this economy running—have been excluded from the negotiating table?

 

No meaningful consultation. No adequate disclosure of negotiating texts. No clear guarantees for workers’ rights. Yet ASEAN governments are pushing forward with an agreement that could reshape the future of platform work across Southeast Asia.

 

For riders, the digital economy is not simply about apps, investments, and technological innovation. It is about surviving long hours on dangerous roads, rising fuel and maintenance costs, shrinking earnings, arbitrary account deactivations, unfair incentives, and the absence of adequate social protection.

 

We carry the passengers. We deliver the goods. We shoulder the risks. But Big Tech takes the profits!

 

Across ASEAN, platform companies continue to expand while riders face a race to the bottom in earnings and working conditions. Without strong labor safeguards, DEFA could further strengthen corporate control over the digital economy while leaving workers with fewer rights and greater insecurity.

 

We are particularly concerned that negotiations dominated by economic and trade officials prioritize corporate profits and market expansion over decent work and labor protection. Digital integration must not become another instrument for multinational technology corporations to exploit cheap and disposable labor.

 

KAGULONG is not against digital progress. We are against progress that enriches corporations while impoverishing workers!

 

We therefore demand that ASEAN governments publicly release the DEFA negotiating texts, conduct genuine consultations with independent riders’ organizations and trade unions, and guarantee enforceable protections for fair earnings, freedom of association, collective bargaining, social security, occupational safety, and protection against arbitrary platform decisions.

 

We further demand that DEFA must not weaken existing labor protections or prevent governments from regulating digital platforms in the public interest.

 

A truly inclusive digital economy must lift workers out of poverty—not push them deeper into exploitation.

 

RIDERS’ RIGHTS BEFORE BIG TECH PROFITS!

 

WE MOVE THE DIGITAL ECONOMY. WE DEMAND OUR FAIR SHARE

PRESS STATEMENT

KAPATIRAN SA DALAWANG GULONG (KAGULONG)

14 November 2026

PM questions P22.9-B ASEAN budget while poor Filipinos live on P22 per meal per day

The Partido Manggagawa (PM) is asking the Marcos administration for solid justification as to why the government is spending a hefty P22.9B for hosting the 29th ASEAN Summit while poor Filipinos live on P22 per meal per day and economic growth is sliding down dramatically to 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. 

 

“Congress just made sharp cuts on social spending for the 2027 National Budget, including health and education, for no reason except inadequate revenue streams, mounting debt service, and the funding of congressional insertions for multipurpose halls and farm-to-ocean roads. With BBM as current ASEAN Chair, is it prudent to spend P22.9-B for organizing an event of this scale? Dapat ang ginawang bottom line ay pagtitipid kaysa performative hosting,” stated PM Chair Renato Magtubo.

 

Magtubo also cautioned PBBM that his objective of portraying himself as a good host to ASEAN members and the world might be eclipsed by the presence of US President Donald Trump. 

 

“Unfortunately, Trump is now the global icon of disgrace, and he will utilize his presence in the ASEAN Summit as a face-saving stunt. The ASEAN Summit doesn’t need a guest who is a war criminal whose proper place is in the US impeachment court, or a jail term in the International Criminal Court. Si Trump ay kahihiyan sa ASEAN,” stressed Magtubo. 

 

“Mabuti na lamang at imbitado rin si newly elected Brazilian President Lula Da Silva at may maari pang paghugutan ng politikal na inspirasyon ang mamamayan ng ASEAN,” added Magtubo. 

 

The labor leader explained further that ASEAN has been business-as-usual since 1967, nothing less, nothing more. It operates under the old foundational principle of consensus and non-interference, thus achieving no binding rules and collective position on social issues such as human rights and democracy as in the case of the Myanmar junta, dissolution and ban of a political party in Thailand, and even the deadly war on drugs in the Philippines during the previous administration. 

 

“A moderate hosting of this event with a prudent budget will not deny ASEAN a good host, as the Philippines has consistently shown itself a reliable partner of ASEAN nations during the last 59 years,” concluded Magtubo.

Partido Manggagawa

12 November 2026

On 7.8% inflation and 7,000 projects in congressional insertions to the 2027 budget

Partido Manggagawa (PM) slammed the government’s misplaced priorities as inflation surged to 7.8% in October, up from 7.2% in September, further eroding workers’ purchasing power and pushing struggling families deeper into hardship.

 

“While workers struggle to put food on the table, congressmen schemed to insert 7,000 pet projects worth ₱180 billion, mostly multipurpose halls, to the 2027 budget. Meanwhile, Malacañang is busy defending the ₱4.38-billion allocation linked to presidential son Sandro Marcos, reportedly the biggest among the questioned allocations,” said Renato Magtubo, PM Chairperson.

 

“Inflation is eating up workers’ wages while politicians feast on budget insertions. Billions for political projects, higher inflation for working families! Politicians’ priorities are completely misplaced,” declared Magtubo.

 

The labor group said the worsening cost-of-living crisis demands urgent economic relief, not more political patronage and questionable budget allocations.

 

“Workers see no better purpose for thousands of multipurpose halls except serving politicians’ publicity interests. Public funds must serve public needs, not political dynasties!” stressed Magtubo.

 

PM reiterated its call for a substantial legislated wage hike, decent and secure jobs, and economic policies that protect workers’ purchasing power. It also demanded full transparency and accountability for questionable budget insertions.

 

“Workers need higher wages and better jobs, not bigger pork barrel and patronage politics,” concluded Magtubo.

PRESS RELEASE

05 November 2026

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