Workers and poor to join TPMM 10.10 protest launch

 

Organized workers and poor will join the Trillion Peso March Movement’s launch of weekly noise barrage and candle lighting today. The event today dubbed 10.10 launch will see synchronized protest actions led by the Catholic Church to push for accountability in the corruption-ridden flood control projects.

 

“Workers and poor are joining students and the rest of the nation in outrage over the waste of the people’s money by politicians, government officials and private contractors. Buwis namin, wag nakawin. Tuloy ang laban hanggang makulong ang mga mandarambong!,” explained Rene Magtubo, chair of Partido Manggagawa (PM).

 

He added that “We oppose the resign all and snap election call of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as this is a Sara Duterte for president maneuver. Instead, we demand accountability and change. Workers suffer from corruption, low wages, endo jobs, lack of services and undemocratic governance. Para tapusin ang katiwalian at iba pang problema ng bansa, kailangang baguhin ang sistema.”

 

PM chapters all across the country are participating in the 10.10 protest launch and are preparing to sustain the weekly noise barrage and candle lighting activities. The protest actions to be led by PM are as follows:

 

NCR

1. In front Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (Archdiocese of Manila)

2. P.Gil corner Taft Manila (near PGH)

3. In front of Fishermall , Letre, Malabon

4. In front Citi Mall, Malabon

5. ABES Compound, Bgy. Singko Kalookan

6. Sacred Heart parish, Tugatog Malabon

7. Sitio Camachile , Bgy. Sun Valley, Parañaque

8. Bgy. 181 Pasay

9. Gawad Kalinga Multipurpose Hall, Smokey Mountain

10. Harong, Mo. Ignacia Quezon City

11. BFHAI Compound, Botong Francisco, Mahabaang Parang, Anggono

12. Sta. Rosa 1, Marilao Bulacan

 

Cebu

1. Purok Caimito Canjulao Lapu-Lapu City

2. Bgy. Buaya, Lapu Lapu City

3. Sitio Bato, Mactan, Lapu Lapu City

4. Bgy Canjulao, Lapu Lapu City

 

Bacolod City

Araneta St. Corner Magsaysay, Bacolod City

 

Iloilo

Bolilao Mandurriao, near SM City Iloilo.

On the Mindoro incident: Start at the top – not at the guardhouse

 

Photo from Daily Tribune

The incident in Oriental Mindoro where a construction site guard was blamed after preventing Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor from entering a DPWH project site exposes how crooked government officials treat workers – as disposable shields to protect those truly responsible. DPWH Regional Director for MIMAROPA, Engr. Pacanan’s call to dismiss the guard is nothing less than scapegoating.

 

For us, this incident reveals a disturbing pattern, like other high-level investigations such as the fertilizer, pork barrel, war on drugs, and Pharmally scams: the blame too often falls on small workers, while the powerful and well-connected scape scrutiny. It is not under the guard’s 24/7 watch but with Pacanan’s regular and diligent inspections that DWPH projects comply with the highest standards.

 

Let us be clear: The security was doing his job. He’s not the one raking millions from padded contracts, substandard projects, and anomalous flood control programs. Yet in the middle of ongoing investigations, it is the small fries who are threatened with dismissal, while the big fish – contractors, politicians, and high officials remain untouched.

 

Furthermore, the incident shows the rotten state of governance in the country: when projects are questioned, it is the powerless who pay the price. Meanwhile, the politically connected contractors and DPWH brass continue business as usual, unaccountable for public funds wasted and communities left vulnerable to floods and disasters.

 

Kung gusto ninyong magsimulang maglinis DPWH, unahin ninyo ang sarili ninyong tanggapan dahil dyan nagaganap ang totoong tanggapan kasama ang mga contractors at politicians.

 

Hands off the workers! If DPWH wants accountability, start at the top – not at the guardhouse. Let the axe fall where it should be – on the corrupt, not the working class. 

Bigong Pilipinas – War of Dynasties, No War on Poverty

Photo from Rappler

While political dynasties are locked in a bitter battle for power, the working class suffer. Workers continue to face chronic poverty and exploitation, three years under the so-called “Bagong Pilipinas” of the Marcos administration.

 

Bigo pa rin at hindi nagbago ang lagay ng Pilipinas. There is no genuine war on poverty, only a war for power among political clans.

 

Our portrayal of State of the Nation Address (SONA) tomorrow may sound too negative, but that is the hard truth we need to confront. SONA’s usual summation declaring the state of the nation as sound is an insult to millions who cannot afford basic necessities.

 

Wages remain below poverty threshold

 

In all 17 regions, the minimum wage remains below the outdated poverty threshold, forcing workers to live on starvation pay. Despite the government claims of progress with the economy inching up to reach the upper middle-income status, the reality is stark: the cost of living continues to rise, while wages lag far behind. A growing economy must have provided workers with decent jobs, but low pay and contractual jobs dominate the workplace.

 

In short, workers are drowning under the weight of high prices for food, utilities, transportation, and basic services. Mas mataas pa ang baha sa sweldo, ang mas tumitibay ay katayuan ng tiwali sa gobyerno kaysa sa trabaho ng mga Pilipino!

 

The workers’ demands are clear:

 

1.           Immediate wage hike to a level that assures a life of dignity for all workers;

2.           End contractualization by stopping the rampant use of contractual and precarious employment that robs workers of job security and benefits;

3.           Lower prices of goods and services by taking concrete steps to control inflation and reduce the cost of essentials like food, healthcare, energy, housing, and transportation.

 

Accountability

 

We likewise call on all workers and citizens to hold leaders accountable. At this moment, impeaching Sara Duterte is still the right thing to do, but the struggle for reforms must go beyond this. Raising the Filipinos’ quality of life and standard of living is a constitutional duty as equally important as ensuring accountability and good and governance.

 

Finally, we believe genuine reform will only come through the organized strength of the people, not the empty promises of political dynasties.

Impeaching Sara is still the right thing to do!

 

Photo by Inquirer.net

Justice Leonen said, “there is a right way to do the right thing at the right time.” Tama siya – but let’s be clear: impeaching Sara Duterte remains the right thing to do.

 

But if the so-called “right time” is being used to delay justice, then that is wrong. Justice must not be strangled by technicalities.

 

Meanwhile, citizens must continue to hold all government officials accountable in all aspects. Isa ito sa batayan nang sinasabi namin na reporma lagpas sa impeachment ni Sara. The call for deep political and institutional reforms does not end with Sara Duterte.

 

Accountability should not depend on titles or positions; it must apply to all public servants. We urge the people to assert this principle and ensure that those in power are never above the law.

 

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the standard applied in the recent Supreme Court decision.