Expropriation is the ultimate solution to Hacienda Luisita dispute

July 20, 2011

In the Philippines where big landlords sway both economic and political powers in all levels of society, the idea of putting an end to the age-old old agrarian dispute at Hacienda Luisita through a referendum is neither just nor democratic.

It is a farce.  It is a ploy.  It is a travesty of justice. 

First, the referendum on stocks distribution option (SDO) expressed in the recent Supreme Court decision bolsters rather than weakens the Cojuangcos’ perpetual control of their sprawling 6,435-hectare estate.

Second, Luisita farmers were actually denied justice when the Justices threw the issue back to them in clear breach of their constitutional duty to dispense social justice to the poor farmers.

Third, a referendum was never made a demand by both the farmers and workers of Hacienda Luisita, thus, can never be considered an exercise of democracy.  What they want, on the contrary, is land distribution and not an SDO.

Fourth, the Cojuangcos’ undeniable reign of power all over Tarlac, notwithstanding their present familial grip over Malacanang through PNoy, is what would make the referendum ‘an initiative from above’ and therefore a patently undemocratic political exercise.

The Supreme Court has clearly played mum and deaf on the farmers’ and workers’ cry for agrarian justice.  But more than that, it turned a blind eye on the concept of social justice by wilfully taking the landlords’ side in keeping the SDO scheme alive. 

The SDO was no doubt a brilliant ploy by the Cojuangcos to evade agrarian reform.  The Constitution, as well as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, neither mentioned nor referred to the SDO as another option for land reform.  Thus, it is in the best interest of the Cojuangcos and for other landlords to make the SDO scheme lawful either by legislation or by judicial action.  The Supreme Court may have consciously played into this game.  And this is not acceptable!

The Partido ng Manggagawa stands for democracy and social justice, thus it supports the farmers’ struggle for land and the democratization of the countryside.  Agrarian justice through expropriation or nationalization of lands is a basic democratic demand for it is a struggle against land monopoly and tyranny by the feudal lords.  And more importantly, it is about social justice because agrarian reform, in its true form, commands wealth redistribution thus an empowering tool for social justice and national development.

Unfortunately, agrarian reform in the Philippines was considered a ‘centerpiece’ program which, ironically, has never been at the heart of the past and present administrations.   As such, even a less hostile form of expropriation (with compensation) mandated by law has never been enforced on big landholdings.  Hacienda Luisita is a showcase.  The reason is obvious.  It cannot be enforced because landlords and the elite have been ruling this country since the first republic up to the present.

Without expropriation, Hacienda Luisita cannot be freed from the control of the Cojuangcos.  Without expropriation, Hacienda Luisita cannot be transformed into state or cooperative farms.  Without expropriation, farmers will never enjoy the fruit of their half-century old struggle for land and justice.

Without expropriation, genuine agrarian reform will remain dead.

Militant workers to picket House today, call con-ass “illegitimate child of Lakas-Kampi marriage”

Press Release
June 3, 2009

Some 300 workers and poor led by the militant Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) will stage a picket at the Batasang Pambansa this afternoon in protest at the passage of Resolution 1109 providing for convening Congress as a constituent assembly. “Con-ass is the illegitimate first born child of the Lakas-Kampi marriage that was officiated by GMA herself. It is a GMA-PALAKA scandal that is worse than the Hayden-Katrina sex video,” insisted Renato Magtubo, PM chairperson.

The protesters from PM brought placards that read: “Con-Ass: Illegitimate Child of Lakas-Kampi Marriage,” “Con-Ass: GMA-PALAKA Scandal,” and “Con-Ass: 1st scandalous act of GMA’s PALAKA.”

Magtubo argued that “Revising the Constitution will pave the way not just for GMA’s perpetuation in power but also the annihilation of the token protection for labor rights and national patrimony. Chacha will benefit Gloria, the trapos and foreigners.”

“The P20 million bribe for chacha’s passage worked its miracle to ensure a quorum and make Judases of the trapos in Congress. Instead of responding to the challenge of worsening poverty and unemployment, Congress railroaded the con-ass for the purpose of extending GMA’s term. The first crucial step has been taken on the road to GMA return to power as Prime Minister,” Magtubo added.

Pahayag ng Pagkakaisa

AMP 2nd All Leaders Assembly

Kami ang mga lider ng mga samahan at organisasyon sa mga komunidad ng maralita sa Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog at Central Luzon. Sa mga komunidad na ito matatagpuan ang isa sa bawat apat na Pilipino. Naririto ang kalakhan ng tinatawag na maralitang tagalungsod.

Binibigkis namin ang aming mga sarili sa Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino upang maging tinig at tambuli ng mga karaingan at kahilingan, panawagan at paninindigan ng mahihirap sa ating bayan.

Sa ating mga komunidad, natutunan nating nasa pagkakaisa ang lakas at nasa pagkilos ang tagumpay. Iniaangat namin ngayon sa mas mataas na antas ang pagkakaisa at pagkilos na ito. Nagkakapit-bisig tayo upang isulong ang pangkalahatang paglaban ng mga maralita para sa pabahay, kabuhayan at pagbabago.

Sa partikular, ipaglalaban natin ang kagyat na mga kahilingan ng maralita sa harap ng krisis pang-ekonomiya:

1. Moratorium sa demolisyon at foreclosure.

2. Condonation sa mga multa at interes sa low-cost at socialized housing loans.

3. Reporma at paglawak ng patrabaho ng gobyerno para sa 3 milyong walang hanapbuhay.

4. Paglaan ng 20% ng lupain sa housing projects para sa socialized housing.

5. Paglipat ng P330 bilyong stimulus fund para sa suporta sa mahihirap sa halip na infrastructure projects.

Lagpas dito ay isusulong natin ang panawagang baliktarin ang mga patakarang nagpapatindi sa krisis pang-ekonomiya at nagpapalala sa pagdarahop ng mamamayan. Ibasura ang patakaran ng liberalisasyon, deregulasyon at pribatisasyon. Protektahan ang lokal na industriya at agrikultura upang mapalakas ang lokal na ekonomiya at magkaroon ng trabaho ang bawat Pilipino.

Pero ang ultimong solusyon sa kahirapan ay ang pagtatatag ng isang lipunang ang prayoridad ay hindi ang tubo ng mayayaman kundi ang pangangailangan ng taumbayan.

Ang susi sa tagumpay ng kagyat at pangmatagalang labang ito ay ang pagbubuo ng isang malakas na kilusang maralita na magiging kaagapay ng kilusang manggagawa. Ang isang makapangyarihang kilusan ng manggagawa at maralita ang pupukaw sa sambayanan upang baguhin ang bulok na sistema sa ating bayan.

Workers join farmers in rally vs chacha, call for CARPER and bailout

Press Release
May 25, 2009

Workers, urban poor and farmers will join forces today in a big rally against moves in Congress for charter change. The rallyists will also demand the passage of the CARP extension and reform bill, and call for a bailout for those affected by the global recession.

“Revising the Constitution to benefit GMA is a scandal worse than Hayden Kho violating his girlfriends. Instead of responding to the challenge of worsening poverty and unemployment, Congress is busy with chacha for the purpose of extending GMA’s term. We might wake up one morning with GMA returning to power as Prime Minister via con-ass or con-con,” argued Renato Magtubo, Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) chair.

PM will lead a mobilization of 1,000 workers and poor that will merge with several thousand farmers and other rallyists at Ever Gotesco, Commonwealth by 1 p.m. today and then march to the Batasang Pambansa by 2 p.m. Catholic bishops led by Bishop Broderick Pabillo will hold a mass at the St. Peter Parish at noon and then link up with the workers and farmers rally.

The theme of the several thousand-strong joint mobilization is “No to GMA’s charter change, Yes to social change.” The rally will demand that the House of Representatives scrap Resolution 737 filed by Speaker Nograles and even proposed bills for a constitutional convention. Aside from calling for CARPER’s passage in the House, workers are also appealing that the Senate act on three resolutions filed proposing a bailout package for the displaced and unemployed.

Magtubo added that “After Villafuerte’s necrological service for Resolution 1109 that provides for a con-ass, it is high time to bury Nograles’ Resolution 737 and other charter change proposals that will only benefit foreigners and trapos. The workers and farmers movement will be the gravediggers of GMA’s chacha.”

Aside from PM, other groups to participate in the rally include the Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP), Zone One Tondo Organization (ZOTO), Rosario Workers Association (RWA), United Cavite Workers Association (UCWA) and Fortune Tobacco Labor Union (FTLU).

Pahayag ng Pakikiisa ng Manggagawa sa Laban ng Magsasaka para sa Lupa at Hustisya

Nais ipabatid ng mga manggagawa sa nakapakahalagang okasyong ito ang aming mahigpit na pakikiisa sa pakikibaka ng mga kapatid naming magsasaka para sa lupa at hustisya. Hangad namin – at para dito ay handa kaming mag-alay ng walang sawang suporta -- sa ikatatagumpay ng inyong pakikibaka.

Sa inyo, at sa buong uring anakpawis, ay walang pag-aalinlangan ang aming pakikipag-alyansa. Ang matibay na pagkakapatiran ng manggagawa at magsasaka ang pinakamahalagang alyansang dapat mabuo sa harap ng inhustisyang nararanasan ng buong bayan sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang sistema na pinaghaharian ng mga elitista.

Itinuturing namin ang inyong pakikibakang agraryo bilang pakikibaka para sa hustisyang panlipunan. At ang hustisyang panlipunan, para sa amin, ang tanging hakbang upang ang bayang ito ay umunlad at ang masang Pinoy ay mabuhay ng may dignidad.

Hindi gaya ngayon na ang karangalan ng mga Pinoy ay umaangat lamang kapag may nana-knockout si Manny Pacquiao.

Hustisya ang kahulugan ng pakikibakang agraryo dahil mula sa maliit na minorya ay ipamamahagi ang mga lupain sa mayorya ng mamamayan sa kanayunan. Sa katunayan, ang pangarap ng mga manggagawa ay lahat ng lupain na kakailanganin para sa progresong panlipunan ay mailagay sa kontrol ng buong lipunan – na ang nakapagpapasya ay ang tunay na mayorya ng mamamayan.

Hindi gaya ngayon na ang desisyon kung saan gagamitin ang libu-libong ektarya ng mga lupain ay nasa kamay ng iilang pamilya. Gamitin man nila ito hindi sa produksyon ng pagkain kundi sa produskyon ng pabango, o kaya ay biofuel, wala tayong kinalaman. Dahil ang mga lupaing ito ay kanilang pribadong pag-aari at hindi ng lipunan.

Nakakalungkot ang ganitong larawan pero ganito ang ating sitwasyon sa nakalipas na ilang daang taon. Alam ng lahat na mali ang sistemang ito. Nakasulat sa mga libro at itinuturo sa mga unibersidad na mali ito. Alam ng simabahan na mali ito. Alam ng mga internasyunal na institusyon gaya ng United Nations na ang sistemang ito ay nagluluwal ng inekwalidad. Kaya nga sa maraming bansa, lalo na sa mga mauunlad na bansa, maaga nilang tinapos ang repormang agraryo.

Sa Japan halimbawa ay inabot lamang ng halos limang taon ang repormang agraryo. Ganundin sa Korea at maging sa China. Pero dito sa Pilipinas, tinubuan na ang CARP ng buhok at inabot na nga ng comatose pero nanatili pa ring konsentrado ang malalawak na lupain sa iilang tao. Kung bakit ganito ang mismong paliwanag kung anong sistema meron tayo.

Kung sa ibang bansa ay dagling ipinatupad ng mismong gubyerno repormang agraryo, dito sa atin ang mga nakaupo mismo sa poder ng gubyerno ang siyang ayaw ng repormang agraryo. Ayaw ng mga landlord na kongresman dahil ayaw nilang isuko ang kanilang pribadong pag-aari. Ayaw ng iba pang mga pulitiko dahil ayaw nilang mawala ang suporta ng kanilang mga padrinong landlord. Ganito kasimple ang alam naming paliwanag kung bakit di matapos-tapos ang repormang agraryo sa Pilipinas.

Sobra-sobra ang katwiran para sa repormang agraryo pero sobra-sobra naman ang lakas at kapit ng mga asendero sa gubyerno. Dahil kanila ang gubyerno. Dahil kanila ang Kongreso. At sa maraming pagkakataon, di ba’t kanila rin ang husgado?

Mga kapatid na magsasaka. Tanging kayo, kami, at sa pagkakataong ito – ang Simabahan ang magkakampi sa labang ito. Pahigpitin pa natin ang pagkakaisang ito. Anuman ang sapitin ng labang ito sa nalalabing ilang araw na ilalagi ng Kongreso bago magrecess, tibayan natin ang ating loob, palakasin pa natin ang ating hanay. At mananatili nyo kaming kaagapay hanggang sa tagumpay.

Mabuhay kayo!!

Labor Alliance for Better Order and Reform (LABOR)
May 25, 2009

Pahayag ng Pakikiisa ng PM sa Kongreso ng UNORKA

Pagbati sa pagbubukas ng kongreso ng UNORKA! Bilang mga lider ng Partido ng Manggagawa, itinuturing namin ang aming mga sarili na mga kinatawan ng mulat na manggagawa na nakikipagkaisa sa inyo na mga delagado ng mga progresibong magsasaka.

Mula noong nakaraang taon hanggang sa ngayon ay ilang beses nang nagsanib ang pagkilos ng mga manggagawa at mobilisasyon ng mga magsasaka. Nagsimula ito bandang Marso 2008 sa isang rali na urban and rural poor solidarity. Nitong huli—gaya nang nakaraang Disyembre—ay tampok ang pagsuporta ng mga manggagawa sa kahilingan ng mga magsasaka para sa Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reform o CARPER kung tawagin.

Gusto namin idiin na sinusuportahan ng Partido ng Manggagawa ang laban ng magsasaka sapagkat gusto naming mapanday ang alyansa ng manggagawa at magsasaka. Ang alyansang ito ang gulugod ng kilusang masa na may lakas na baguhin ang lipunang Pilipino.

Sa ngayon ang alyansang ito ay nasa antas ng pang-ekonomiyang laban. Dapat mapaunlad ito sa batayang anti-globalisasyon at anti-sistema. Hanggang rumurok sa pampulitikang pakikibaka para sa panlipunang pagbabago.

Pagsumikapan nating isulong ang alyansang ito dahil ito ang nawawalang salik kaya’t kapos sa pwersa at di magtagumpay ang pagpapatalsik sa kasalukuyang rehimen. Hindi alyansa ng kilusang masa sa isang paksyon ng naghaharing uri ang paraan. Lalong hindi ang shortcut ng isang kudetang militar ang sagot. Hindi rin lang ito kawalan ng isang “popular leader” na magbibigay-inspirasyon sa publiko. Ang makapangyarihang alyansa ng manggagawa at magsasaka na nagdadala ng panawagang “Palitan ang sistema” ang pupukaw sa militansya ng mamamayang Pilipino.

Habang binubuo natin ang pagkakaisa ng mga manggagawa at magsasaka para sa panlipunang hustisya at panlipunang pagbabago, mayroon lang kaming nais ilambing sa inyo.

Nakikiusap kami sa mga magsasaka na sa halip na pribadong pag-aari ng lupa ay nasyunalisasyon ng lupain ang ating isulong. Ibig sabihin ng nasyunalisasyon ng lupa ay isang rebolusyonaryong estado, ng isang gobyerno ng manggagawa at magsasaka, ang mag-aari sa lupa sa ngalan ng buong mamamayan upang ang sinumang nais magsaka ay may karapatang bungkalin ang sakahan.

Ang pribadong pag-aari ng lupa kasi ay magiging bukal ng panibagong porma ng pagsasamantala. Gaya ng nasasaksikan sa kanayunan, ang isang seksyon ng mga magsasakang nabiyayaan ng lupa ay aangat ang kabuhayan sa pagiging mayamang magsasaka at uupahan nila bilang trabahador ang mga manggagawang bukid na magmumula sa mga magsasakang bumagsak ang kabuhayan. Sa ganitong sitwasyon—na aktwal nang nangyayari sa kanayunan—magbabangga ang interes ng magsasaka at manggagawa.

Ilinaw lang namin uli. Kinukumbinsi ng mga manggagawa ang magsasaka sa kawastuhan ng nasyunalisasyon at hindi ito ipipilit kung labag sa kalooban ng mga kapatid na magbubukid. At gusto ng manggagawa ang nasyunalisasyon ng lupa kung magkakaroon ng isang rebolusyonaryong gobyerno hindi sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang bulok na sistema.

Kaya naman sa pagitan ng panawagan ng magsasaka na CARPER sa isang banda at sa kabilang banda, ang panukalang GARB at laluna ang posisyon ng asendero na patayin ang repormang agraryo, malinaw kung kanino dapat kumampi ang manggagawa.

Maasahan ng mga magsasaka ang manggagawa sa labang ito. Ang maso at ang karet ay di maipaghihiwalay sa pakikibaka para sa repormang agraryo.

Mabuhay ang pagkakaisa ng manggagawa at magsasaka! Pagtibayin ang alyansa ng manggagawa at magsasaka para sa pagbabago ng sistema!

Urban poor support rural farmers' demand for CARP extension

Press Release
December 17, 2008

Some 200 members of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) and the Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP) joined the farmers’ mobilization on the last day of session of Congress to back the demand for an extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. The groups carried placards with the messages “Lupa, Trabaho, Pagkain Hindi Cha-Cha,” “CARP Extension Hindi Term Extension,” and “Maralita Magkaisa, Baguhin ang Sistema.”

“The urban poor and the rural farmers are brothers and sisters in the struggle for agrarian reform. An alliance between the urban and rural poor is necessary not just to push for social justice but also social change. A one-two punch by the workers and farmers will provide the knock-out blow against the rotten system and pave the way for social reform,” stated Jess Panis, spokesperson of AMP.

He added that “The urban poor does not support the so-called genuine agrarian reform bill because it is a right demand but at the wrong place and the wrong time. Pushing for it now objectively puts its proponents in alliance with the landlords that oppose agrarian reform. Its proper venue is a revolutionary government not the reactionary Congress.”

PM supports the peasants’ campaign for a continuation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). The group is also demanding that Congress and Malacanang enact a bailout at stimulus package for workers and poor. Panis identified the package as “The SSS, GSIS and OWWA must subsidize all private sector workers, government employees and OFW’s who will be laid off due to the crisis that should last until they find a new job up to a maximum of 6 months. Government must also declare a tax rebate for all workers equivalent to 2 months wage. And a public employment program must be established for the four million unemployed Filipinos.”

Lakbayan ng Manggagawa merges with farmers march, calls for “Social change not charter change”

Press Release
December 10, 2008

The Lakbayan ng Manggagawa merged today with the farmers march for a joint mobilization at the Batasang Pambansa with the call “Maralita Magkaisa, Baguhin ang Sistema (Poor Unite and Fight for Social Change).” The Lakbayan ng Manggagawa by a thousand factory workers and urban started yesterday from Zapote Bacoor, passed by Redemptorist Church in Baclaran, marched through Taft and Espana in Manila and then made an overnight vigil at the Claret School in QC.

“The merging of the Lakbayan ng Manggagawa and the farmers march is an expression of the basic alliance between the workers and farmers. A one-two punch by the workers and farmers will provide the knock-out blow against the rotten system and pave the way for social change,” stated Renato Magtubo, chairperson of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).

The Lakbayan ng Manggagawa made a final stop at the main office of the NHA for a noise barrage at 9 a.m. to air the poor’s grievances at the failed housing program of the government. Fr. Buddy Agualada, school head of Claret, and scores of Claret students and personnel joined the workers and poor in the NHA protest.

“The sanctuary provided by the church to the Lakbayan marchers and the support of ordinary Filipinos to our demands is in sharp contrast to Malacanang and Congress which are deaf and blind to the opposition of the people to charter change. Rather than focusing on chacha in order to remove the protectionist provisions of the constitution, the government must instead prioritize protection for the workers and the poor so they could deal with the global crisis,” explained Magtubo.

The Lakbayan ng Manggagawa then proceeded to Philcoa where it combined with the peasant marchers. By 10 a.m. the workers and farmers marched together to the St. Peter Cathedral along Commonwealth Ave. for a mass be officiated by Catholic bishops at noon. The big mobilization then proceeded to the Batasan Pambansa for a program at the gates to pressure Congress to pass the proposed bill for CARP extension.

The Lakbayan ng Manggagawa participants came from PM, Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino, Zone One Tondo Organization, Samahang Nagkakaisa ng Cavite, United Cavite Workers Association and unions of Valenzuela City. PM supports the peasants’ campaign for a continuation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and slams the inaction of Congress on the proposed bill for extension. The group is also demanding that Congress and Malacanang enact a bailout at stimulus package for workers and poor.

Noise barrage held today as prelude to Lakbayan ng Manggagawa tomorrow

Press Release
December 8, 2008

A noise barrage held today in different parts of Metro Manila called for “social change not charter change.” The coordinated activity was a build up for the Lakbayan ng Manggagawa that will start tomorrow and then merge with the peasant marchers on Wednesday for a big joint mobilization.

The coordinated noise barrage was launched in the following five points in Metro Manila: NHA, Elliptical Road, QC; Sto. Nino Church, Tondo, Manila; Bicutan Interchange, Paranaque; Sangandaan, Caloocan; and Royal Mall, Malinta Exit, Valenzuela. The noise barrage commenced at 5 p.m. except the NHA activity which was held earlier at 1 p.m. A hundred workers and poor in every one of the five areas banged pots and pans to dramatize their protest.

“Instead of railroading chacha, Malacanang and Congress should push for a bailout of the workers and the poor in the face of the global economic crisis,” stated Renato Magtubo, chairperson of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), one of the organizations involved in the noise barrage. He also welcomed the TUCP’s opposition to chacha but added that “We only ask that they match their words with deeds. They should join the urban and rural poor joint rally on Wednesday.”

PM will lead the Lakbayan ng Manggagawa on Tuesday that will involve more than a thousand members of Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino, Zone One Tondo Organization, Samahang Nagkakaisa ng Cavite at United Cavite Workers Association. The Lakbayan marchers will pass through various points of Metro Manila and hold an overnight vigil at an undisclosed church compound. On Wednesday the Lakbayan ng Manggagawa will resume and combine with the farmer mobilization that will troop to the Batasan Pambansa.

“The merging of forces of the workers and the peasants, of the urban and rural poor, is a response to the call of the Catholic bishops for social change. An alliance between the workers and the peasants is the necessary condition for changing Philippine society. Nothing is impossible if the workers and farmers unite and fight,” asserted Magtubo.

PM declared its support for the farmers demand for an extension of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and condemnation of the landlord resistance. Meanwhile the group is campaigning for a bailout at stimulus package for workers and poor. Magtubo explained that “SSS, GSIS and the OWWA must release funds sufficient to subsidize all private sector workers, government employees and OFW’s who will be laid off due to the crisis that should last until they find a new job up to a maximum of 6 months. Government must also declare a tax rebate for all workers equivalent to 2 months wage, in effect giving them a 14th and 15th month salary. And a public employment program must be established for the four million unemployed even before the onset of the present crisis.”