Labor group slams Digong on his stance vs cha-cha

In the midst of an intensifying power struggle between the competing dynasties of the UniTeam Coalition, the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition viewed the recent suspension of the people's initiative (PI) proceedings by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as nothing more than a temporary truce.

“Hindi pa patay ang PI,” said Partido Manggagawa (PM) Cebu spokesperson Dennis Derige.

He said that the Comelec’s suspension of PI proceedings might only be a tactical move to buy more time for both sides to strategize.

He said that the Senate action is also part of Nagkaisa’s continuing campaign to press for the enactment of the P150 across-the-board wage hike, end to endo, and other economic measures to address the rising cost-of-living crisis, which for them requires immediate action from Congress and the executive rather than to revising the Constitution at this point in time.

“Chi-cha hindi cha-cha ang kailangan ng mga manggagawa, lalong hindi ang pumili sa pagitan ng polvoron o fentanyl,” said Derige, as he dismissed claims about the benefits arising from constitutional amendments.

Derige observes that the recent counter-rally in Davao City on January 28 has further intensified the conflict between former allies within the UniTeam, and it looks like the war of dynasties has reached the point of no return.

Derige added that the importance of exposing the political and economic motives behind the House-led push for charter change through PI, at the same time cautioning against allowing the anti-charter change narrative to be co-opted by the Duterte dynasty for their own political gain.

“Duterte may attempt to rebrand himself as an opponent of charter change, but his track record speaks volumes about his true intentions,” Derige said on former President Duterte's shifting stance on charter change.

Derige reminds the Senate that it was Duterte who vetoed the Security of Tenure bill passed by Congress, failed to fulfill his promise of abolishing the provincial rate system in wage setting, and destroyed unions through red tagging during his term.

“Therefore making him a sham ambassador of the anti-cha-cha campaign that he wants to elevate into a war against Bongbong Marcos and Martin Romualdez,” he said.

Furthermore, Nagkaisa! urges the Senate to prioritize pressing issues such as the proposed P150 wage hike and highlights the importance of distinguishing authentic agenda to improve the lives of workers from the personal and partisan political interests of the warring political dynasties.