Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Partylist slams Chinese ambassador’s threat vs OFW’s

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Photo from Business World


The partylist Partido Manggagawa slammed Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua for threatening to retaliate against OFW’s in China even as the group opposed the call for the mass deportation of Chinese migrant workers. “We stand for the protection of all migrant workers everywhere and thus oppose threats and plans for deporting en masse both Filipino and Chinese migrant workers,” stated Rene Magtubo, PM national chair.

He added that “The Chinese ambassador’s threat is a blatant blackmail and the government should grow enough spine for the Department of Foreign Affairs to make a diplomatic protest.”

The group asserted that migrant workers should not made pawns in a diplomatic war and also must not become scapegoats in a failed government policy. “It is the Chinese investors bringing in Chinese workers that must be made responsible for their crimes. Everybody’s hypocritically talking of upholding the law by evicting Chinese workers but turn a blind eye to the violations by Chinese investors,” Magtubo explained.

He furthered that “At the root of the problem is the Duterte administration’s lax policy with regard to the entry of Chinese capital and loans. The government itself created the problem because of its subservience to the interests of the Chinese government and Chinese capitalists.”

Magtubo averred that “Instead of mass deportations of migrant workers in the Philippines and China, we call for a bilateral labor agreement to protect migrant workers. Such an agreement must secure decent wages, benefits, working conditions and jobs including the freedom to unionize. Further, to plug the gaping loophole that facilitates illegal migration, labor deployment abroad must be through government channels instead of private agencies.”

February 27, 2019

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Kababaihang manggagawa ikinatuwa ang pagkakasabatas ng Expanded Maternity Leave

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Ikinatuwa ng mga manggagawa ang pagiging batas ng Expanded Maternity Leave na nagtatakda ng 105 araw ng paid maternity leave benefits mula sa dating 60 o katumbas ng karagdagang 45 na araw. 

“Pinaghirapan itong itulak ng kababaihan, lalo ng kababaihang manggagawa kaya’t nararapat lamang angkinin ng kababaihan, kasama ang mga champions nito sa Kongreso at Senado, ang tagumpay ng labang ito,” pahayag ni Judy Ann Miranda ng Partido Manggagawa partylist (PM) na kasapi ng koalisyong Workers4EML. 

She added that "The lapse into law of the Expanded Maternity Leave is a hard-won victory for women workers. President Duterte could not muster the courage to sign it into law and it took fast and furious action from women workers and their champions in Congress to thwart the determined lobby of ECOP and the SSS for a veto. Now that the 105-day maternity leave benefit is a law, opportunists may want to claim it for themselves but it was the years-long advocacy and campaign of organized women and labor groups that gave birth to EML."  

Naging batas ang nasabing panukala matapos hindi i-veto ng Pangulo at mag-lapse into law kagabi sa kabila ng malakas na lobby laban dito ng mga employer at mismong ng SSS. 

“Kung hindi sa walang tigil na pagkilos, presyur at paglalamay ng kababaihang manggagawa at maralita sa pagtutulak ng batas na ito ay malamang nag-dalawang isip ang Palasyo na hayaang ito ay maging batas,” paliwanag pa ni Miranda. 

Bagamat naging batas na ay sinabi pa rin ng PM na maari pa itong paunlarin ng husto sa mga susunod na yugto ng laban at nang makahabol pa sa mas mataas na standard ng maternity benefits na umiiral na sa maraming bansa. ###

Photos of vigil last night at https://www.facebook.com/judy.chanmiranda/posts/10219174819950136?__xts__[0]=68.ARBtPdHXRsBRlsLcpzDGU_MBrLZ8wt3_vheskV62BelCFXWafpvAD81OpSs9Crc08nUC8qG99Gr6Ji7nssj-6qXhTqkfxijSFfRQFiJc2eziNe3F6js0PhY9kOVpcqoBIjHEwcdPgsNoXDCpjdgCjWDzSl0gHBo_iDK9ABCRqeZbJ5vhkCcK54tJoOz4WjAQemscKyC4mqLxEpSBxUSM21yoi9QNoeXAY_lfdTabYWnmyxBFgZLN9iFolaopL5grQ6O6BZmW45oYJ2K31614eK9qO-PGKDj0iWcaWAHfaaP_YGoJ5YoJFQRLFsftaK1FLmXiot7WcIxA6puHTyWD&__tn__=C-R

and 

Photos of Workers4EML action the other day at https://www.facebook.com/judy.chanmiranda/posts/10219162472841466?__xts__[0]=68.ARBXOd_Ezg_YUpZYLu7tWgpeRU2fuhPNAU8-OBAVI8iEEm8tY86kz4iyUJYj0WRi9v_mL0u_wBk6zf7cLuuXD_U33DLlDhd5pW8_MVLoz9EWIE5RBDjIDmRKHRnXGOfgva1FbWP1TpLt6M2vvobtbg5Bym0j6RCeUsF1ygtEqDK0utlqUDWEdP-GumAC_HfgVBYhat7a560zsbPU7SeoqqwEz7g9uh88pt2Ee3-SVoQQ7T8nRxMlrX8AseUtaeDbk9wzr_4wfBmgG3qivouPZkDp1Wep7ktfbwU-jZLKkdFE3M9M3fDhAchei3oti5x1dlZ2nDlyrUEradmUvXZl&__tn__=C-R


21 February 2019
Partido Manggagawa partylist

Presscon to celebrate EML lapse into law

Media Advisory
Contact: Judy Miranda 09228677522
09175570777
Workers 4 EML

Breaking News: 105 days Expanded Maternity Leave (EML) lapsed into law

Without President Duterte signing it into law or being vetoed, EML became law just after midnight. Workers 4 EML celebrate this victory in a press conference today at 11:00am at the Workers’ House, 94 Scout Delgado, Bgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City.

Media coverage is requested

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Women workers slam Sara Duterte for proposing watered down EML

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Women workers led by the labor partylist group Partido Manggagawa (PM) slammed Davao City mayor Sara Duterte for proposing a watered down version of the Expanded Maternity Leave (EML) Law. Tonight—the eve of EML lapsing into law—the coalition Workers4EML is holding a candlelight vigil at Mendiola.

“We are lighting 105 candles so that President Rodrigo Duterte will be enlightened into signing the law that will benefit tremendously women workers and ensure the health of newborn babies. If he cannot muster the courage to sign it into law, the very least he could do is let it lapse into law. We warn the President against vetoing the law as demanded by the employers group ECOP,” asserted Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary-general.

She added that “Sara should be advised of the basics of law making. EML cannot be watered down anymore since it has been passed by Congress. The President can only sign it in toto, veto it or let it lapse into law. So Sara’s call for halving the salary of pregnant workers on leave, or worse giving them only a quarter of their pay, is not only detrimental to women but downright prohibited.”

Workers4EML which includes the labor groups PM, PSLINK, Sentro, TUCP and IndustriAll have been crucial in advocating and lobbying for the expanded maternity law. Yesterday women under the banner of Workers4EML held a noisy but colorful action at Welcome Rotonda.

“Push na natin ito mga kabaro at ka-manggagawa. Do not let the enemies of labor steal the victory that women workers have fought for,” Miranda averred.

She added that “Sara’s argument that it is necessary to water down EML in consideration of small businesses is nonsense. It is the Social Security System (SSS) which will pay the salary of pregnant workers on leave as long as it is not above the salary credit of P16,000. Sara conveniently remembers that the bulk of businesses are small but hypocritically forgets that majority of workers are minimum wage earners with salaries below P16,000. With the signing by Duterte of the law mandating an increase in SSS contributions, the workers’ pensions system is in no danger of going under.”

February 20, 2019

Partido Manggagawa partylist

Media Advisory: Women workers candlelight vigil on eve of EML lapsing into law


Media Advisory
February 20, 2019
Partido Manggagawa partylist
Contact Judy Ann Miranda @ 09228677522

Women workers candlelight vigil on eve of EML lapsing into law

What: Candlelight vigil by women workers

When: Tonight, 8:30-10:00 pm

Where: Mendiola

Photo opportunity: 105 candles to be lit to enlighten Malacanang on the need to sign Expanded Maternity Leave law or let it lapse into law tomorrow. The group Workers for EML is warning Pres. Duterte against vetoing the law as demanded by the employers group ECOP.


Thursday, February 14, 2019

Duterte veto of EML is a Valentine heartbreak for women workers



Press Statement
February 14, 2019
Partido Manggagawa Partylist
Judy Ann Miranda
Secretary General
09228677522 / 09175570777

Valentine Heartbreak for Women Workers!

Heartbreaking news on Valentines Day after an inside report that President Duterte will veto the 105-day Maternity Leave Law. This is proof of how a heartless leader value women today. It is consistent with how he negatively viewed ordinary women, including working women in contrast with how he cared much about the welfare of Imelda, Imee, Gloria and Sara.

At stake is the health & welfare of mothers to be & future babies. Malacañang, ECOP, SSS & DBM have connived against women's right to increased maternity benefits and infants right to quality maternal care.

Partido Manggagawa Partylist, women's groups, labor organizations & unions will continue to assert the signing of the law. Protest actions are now being planned against Duterte’s veto. ###

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Militant workers condemn arrest of Rappler’s Maria Ressa

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Press Release
February 13, 2019
Partido Manggagawa partylist
Contact Judy Ann Miranda @ 09228677522

Partido Manggagawa condemns the relentless assault on the freedom of the press that has led to the arrest of Rappler’s CEO Maria Ressa. The recent arrest based on questionable legal assumptions is nothing but a blatant attempt by the Duterte administration to harass and silence its critics and clip the wings of the free press under the guise of legal authority. While Malacanang would like the people to believe that the arrest has a genuine legal basis, the people clearly see through the lies and misinformation characterized by the systematic demonization of independent media outlets critical of the incumbent regime. We view the incident as another case of the Duterte regime flexing its political muscle to muzzle the press which has tirelessly worked to keep the current administration accountable.

This recent episode is another of a long list of threats to our civil rights and liberties. The continued harassment of the media is also a grave a threat to the interests of the working class. The free press is an indispensable tool for the working class and their organizations in their struggle for dignified labor and the end of precarious work conditions.

Journalists from media outlets like Rappler have been responsible for uncovering and bringing to public attention countless cases of abuse and exploitation that workers have suffered at the hands of greedy capitalists. We remember Rappler’s extensive coverage of the union Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association’s (PALEA) struggle against the unjust termination of workers and the disregard of their rights at the behest of corporate interests.

We remember the media’s role in exposing this injustice, and now that the freedom of the press is at the crosshairs of the increasingly authoritarian Duterte regime, the workers now lend their support and solidarity with the beleaguered media outlets that continue to stand for truth and justice in a climate of increasing fear and impunity. We stand together with our allies in the press and join the call for justice against the creeping shadow of tyranny. ###

Tomorrow morning from 10 am to 12 noon, student supporters of PM partylist will distribute flowers in the PUP campus and in the university belt area as a creative way of calling for defense of press freedom and ensuring voter's education (Contact Dhel Pulanco @ 09179402632)

Media Advisory:Youth Valentine's action for press freedom, voters education

Media Advisory
February 14, 2019
Partido Manggagawa partylist
Contact Elijah San Fernando (AYOS lead convenor) @ 09561271559
Ralyn Rodriquez (PUP Student Council president) @ 09393510265

Youth Valentine's action for press freedom, voters education 

What: Student groups to celebrate Valentine's with a call for press freedom, voters education 

When: Today, February 14, 10 am-12 noon

Where: PUP campus and university belt area (CEU, San Beda, San Sebastian, UE, FEU)
Photo opportunity: Students will don colorful masks while distributing flowers and calling on fellow youth to defend press freedom and vote wisely

The students will come from the network Alliance of Youth Organizations for Sustainable Society (AYOS) which is comprised of student organizations and student councils of PUP, La Salle, UE, CEU and Lyceum.

AYOS and PM partylist condemn the arrest of Maria Ressa as a blatant attempt to persecute critics of the Duterte administration. Thus the students will call for defense of press freedom as a weapon against authoritarianism.

The vote wisely campaign is also in support of four opposition senatorial candidates and the partylist group PM that AYOS asserts embody the advocacy for real change in society.

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Press Release: Partylist opens electoral bid with grassroots campaign


Press Release
February 12, 2019
Partido Manggagawa partylist
Contact Dhel Pulanco (PUP) @ 09179402632
Ver Estorosas (Bulacan) @ 09339680449
Dennis Sequena (Cavite) @ 09301803071

The partylist group PM opened its electoral bid for “genuine representation for the marginalized” with a grassroots campaign involving workers, urban and youth. A group of idealistic youth campaigned early morning today by train hopping for their favored opposition senatorial bets and the partylist group PM.

“It is an uphill fight against the deluge of fake partylist groups, many supported by the administration and all promoting the candidacy of trapos. But the only way to gain representation for the truly marginalized is by fighting and winning,” declared Manny Manato, nominee of PM and chair of the informal settler network Kilos Maralita.

Around 15 student leaders from the PUP Central Student Council and the student party SPEAK leafleted the MRT and LRT train stations at North EDSA, Cubao, Recto and Pureza today as the opening salvo of a youth campaign for principled politics. The youth leaders say that they are campaigning early to jump the gun on trapos who have the money and influence to dominate the election period. 

Yesterday, the same groups crowdsourced from fellow PUP students to finance the printing of the leaflets that they distributed today. Dubbed "Piso mo para sa Pagbabago," they successfully solicited donations for national candidates that they assert embody the advocacy and fight for real social change.

The youth leaders are challenging candidates to support the demand to increase the education share of the national budget to 6%. They believe that the protracted fight over the pork barrel of solons that led to the delayed enactment of the General Appropriations Act is a case of the teapot calling the kettle black. The real issues are greater budget for social services like public education, universal health care, extended maternity and guaranteed public employment for the jobless.

Also today, Partido Manggagawa worker and urban poor leaders are launching their official partylist campaign by going to the grassroots. In Bulacan, urban poor leaders are hopping from one relocation area and depressed community to another across the towns of Marilao to Malolos to propagate the demand for affordable housing for the poor. It was in Pandi, Bulacan where a government housing project was occupied by informal settlers.

Meanwhile, in Cavite, union leaders are going to leaflet fellow workers in the giant Cavite Economic Zone to highlight the call for a national minimum wage and regular jobs for all. The demand for regular jobs, a national minimum wage, affordable housing, increased education budget and other social services are the key planks of the electoral platform of PM partylist. ###


Monday, February 11, 2019

Idealistic youth campaign early for principled bets


Press Release
February 11, 2019
Partido Manggagawa partylist
Contact Dhel Pulanco (PUP) @ 09179402632
Ver Estorosas (Bulacan) @ 09339680449
Dennis Sequena (Cavite) @ 09301803071

A group of idealistic youth will campaign early morning tomorrow by train hopping for their favored opposition senatorial bets and the partylist group PM. Around 15 student leaders from the PUP Central Student Council and the student party SPEAK will leaflet the MRT and LRT train stations at North EDSA, Cubao, Recto and Pureza as the opening salvo of a youth campaign for principled politics. The youth leaders say that they are campaigning early to jump the gun on trapos who have the money and influence to dominate the election period. 

Today, the same groups crowdsourced from fellow PUP students to finance the printing of the leaflets that they will distribute tomorrow. Dubbed "Piso mo para sa Pagbabago," they successfully solicited donations for national candidates that they assert embody the advocacy and fight for real social change.

The youth leaders are challenging candidates to support the demand to increase the education share of the national budget to 6%. They believe that the protracted fight over the pork barrel of solons that led to the delayed enactment of the General Appropriations Act is a case of the teapot calling the kettle black. The real issues are greater budget for social services like public education, universal health care, extended maternity benefit and guaranteed public employment for the jobless.

Also tomorrow, Partido Manggagawa worker and urban poor leaders are launching their official partylist campaign by going to the grassroots. In Bulacan, urban poor leaders are hopping from one relocation area and depressed community to another across the towns of Marilao to Malolos to propagate the demand for affordable housing for the poor. It was in Pandi, Bulacan where a government housing project was occupied by informal settlers.

Meanwhile, in Cavite, union leaders are going to leaflet tomorrow afternoon fellow workers in the giant Cavite Economic Zone to highlight the call for a national minimum wage and regular jobs for all. The demand for regular jobs, a national minimum wage, affordable housing, increased education budget and other social services are the key planks of the electoral platform of PM partylist. ###


Media Advisory: Idealistic youth to campaign early tom for principled candidates


Media Advisory
February 11, 2019
Partido Manggagawa partylist
Contact Dhel Pulanco (PUP) @ 09179402632
Ver Estorosas (Bulacan) @ 09339680449
Dennis Sequena (Cavite) @ 09301803071

Idealistic youth to campaign early tom for principled candidates

What: Students leaders from the PUP Central Student Council and the student party SPEAK to train hop for “principled national candidates”

When: Tomorrow, February 12, 5-7 am

Where: MRT North EDSA, MRT/LRT Cubao, LRT Recto and LRT Pureza

Details:

Around 15 student leaders will leaflet each train station early morning tomorrow as the opening salvo of a youth campaign for principled politics. The youth leaders say that they are campaigning early tomorrow to jump the gun on trapos who have the money and influence to dominate the election period. 

Today, the same groups crowdsourced from fellow PUP students to finance the printing of the leaflets that they will distribute tomorrow. Dubbed "Piso para sa Pagbabago," they successfully solicited donations for some senatorial and one partylist organization that they assert embody the advocacy and fight for real social change.

The youth leaders are challenging the national candidates to support the demand to increase the education share of the national budget to 6%. They believe that the protracted fight over the pork barrel of solons that led to the delayed enactment of the General Appropriations Act is a case of the teapot calling the kettle black. The real issues are greater budget for social services like public education, universal health care, extended maternity and guaranteed public employment for the jobless.

Also tomorrow, Partido Manggagawa worker and urban poor leaders are launching their official partylist campaign by going to the grassroots. In Bulacan, urban poor leaders are hopping from one relocation area and depressed community to another across the towns of Marilao to Malolos to propagate the demand for affordable housing for the poor. It was in Pandi, Bulacan where a government housing project was occupied by informal settlers.

Meanwhile, in Cavite, union leaders are going to leaflet fellow workers in the giant Cavite Economic Zone to highlight the call for a national minimum wage and regular jobs for all. The demand for regular jobs, a national minimum wage, affordable housing, increased education budget and other social services are the key planks of the electoral platform of PM partylist. ###

Sunday, February 10, 2019

Media Advisory: Youth group preparation for electoral participation

Media Advisory
February 11, 2019
Partido Manggagawa partylist
Contact Dhel Pulanco @ 09179402632

Youth group preparation for electoral participation

What: The PUP Central Student Council and the student party Speak to prepare creative and artistic materials on eve of senatorial and partylist campaign

When: Today, February 12, 1-5 pm

Where: SKM office, within PUP Sta. Mesa campus

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

Friday, February 8, 2019

Workers slam Bello for ECOP deal, call on Senate to act on endo bill



Members of Partido Manggagawa (PM) partylist and workers from different labor groups trooped to the Senate this morning for a last-minute appeal for the passage of the Security of Tenure (SOT) bill. 

Rene Magtubo, PM national chair, said that “With the senatorial campaign starting in a few days, labor will judge who its friends and enemies are by their action on the SOT bill. We remind the members of the Senate of their promise to the workers to do their part in the fight to end the injustice of contractualization by passing the SOT bill. We remind the senators of their professed commitment to the working class as well as for the general public and will hold them accountable to their promise to provide the legal framework to help end the practice of endo.”

He likewise slammed Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello for a deal with employers that will propagate not eradicate contractualization. “Rather than ensuring workers become regular, Bello is instead making regular meetings with the Employers Confederation of the Philippines on their demand that regularization commence only after three years of employment and that labor inspections be suspended,” Magtubo declared.

He added that “The struggle for safe, dignified and regular jobs has and will continue to be waged through the active action and participation of the workers within and outside the formal halls of power. The SOT bill currently up for deliberation is the product of a broad and united labor coalition that has crossed organizational and political lines in the firm conviction to fight for the right of working people to enjoy dignified and protected labor.”

“To this end, we call for the passing of the pro-worker SOT bill, one not watered down by compromises and loopholes that would negate the efforts of organized labor that has participated in lobbying, dialogue and social action to get the bill to where it is today. The failure to pass the SOT bill is a betrayal of the workers that so far have been engaging the legislative branch of government and has campaigned for the end of endo even before 2016 where it was first identified as one of the key priorities of the incumbent administration,” Magtubo elaborated.

He affirmed that “We reiterate that the SOT bill represents the best and only opportunity to decisively end the practice of endo. Without a strong law to protect the interests of workers, millions will remain vulnerable to precarious working conditions and abusive labor practices. The supposed regularization agreement between DOLE and ECOP does not tackle the root cause of endo. The complete lack of worker participation notwithstanding, failing to pass a SOT law means that workers will continue to be susceptible to the scourge of contractualization. Only a holistic approach that involves legislative protection to regular and dignified work will guarantee the security of workers. We thus call for the passage of the SOT law, as it recognizes the invaluable service of millions of Filipino workers as the backbone of the economy.”

January 8, 2019

Monday, February 4, 2019

Labor groups give final push to 'End ENDO Bill'


The End ENDO Bill is at the final stretch. Labor groups are eager to take it home.

"We have taken the fight this far. We expect no less than the passage of the End ENDO Bill," Atty. Sonny Matula, Chairperson of the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition said.

More than 500 workers from Nagkaisa members Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Sentro, Partido Manggagawa, Federation of Free Workers, AGILA, PALEA, UFSW and PSLink gathered at the doorsteps of the Senate Monday morning voicing out: "End ENDO now!"

“We would like to see that Malacañang actively engages the legislators through its Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) as it shepherds the bill to its passage, as it usually does in all certified measures,” Matula said.

In September last year, after continuous pressure from Nagkaisa, President Rodrigo Duterte certified as urgent the End ENDO Bill.

"We call on President Duterte to ensure that his decision to certify as urgent the passage of Senate Bill 1826 is carried to the letter by all his allies in the Senate by passing the bill as it is," Matula said.

“We urge our Senators to follow the lead of Senate President Tito Sotto who said that the End ENDO Bill is the upper chamber's priority at the beginning of the year," said Matula.

Nagkaisa's rally happened hours before Senate Bill 1826 was subjected to the long overdue deliberations at the Committee on Labor.

“It is now up to the Senate, under your leadership, Mr. Senate President, to realize this long-standing aspiration of the workers and the people.”

The Lower House has approved its version of the End ENDO Bill as early as January last year.

"The abuses on contractual and agency workers get worse each day that passes without an End ENDO Law to protect them,” Matula said.

"With only a few session days to go, the Senate is running out of time to deliver on a presidential promise—to end ENDO,” Matula said.

“The President has certified to the Senate for urgent legislation the End ENDO Bill in September. But to our great disappointment, the workers' priority bill was left to the back burner by the foot-dragging of the senators on second reading, who appear to be disinterested in addressing the continuing exploitation of labor,” Matula said.

“Workers are becoming anxious. The rising cost of basic commodities stemming from the inflation caused by the TRAIN Law, will worsen the situation of millions of poor workers who up to now have no security of tenure,” Matula said.

The Senate will be suspending its session to give way to the elections.

“While your legislative work will come to a halt, workers will continue the hard toil.  Ending ENDO will no doubt be a major election issue for us. We will remember those who stood up for workers and forget those who sat idly by the side,” Matula said.

Feb. 4, 2019
Nagkaisa Labor Coalition

Sunday, February 3, 2019

Media Advisory: Riders protest at Mendiola tom

MEDIA ADVISORY
RIDERS OF THE PHILIPPINES (ROTP)
Contact Person: Don Pangan 09233250192

REQUEST FOR COVERAGE

WHAT: About 300 club leaders will troop to Malacanang to make an appeal to President Duterte to VETO DOUBLE PLATE BILL. 

WHEN: February 4, 2019, Monday at exactly 10:00 in the morning.

CONDUCT:
Riders assembly point is at Burger King Welcome Rotunda at exactly 8:00 in the morning  

8:30 am-start of short motorcade along Espana to Mendiola.

10:00 am-Start of program at Mendiola(will also negotiate to let at least 10 leaders to enter Malacanang to have the letters from various clubs received).