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

 

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