Workers mount ‘campaign sorties’ in lieu of usual May 1 march

INSTEAD of holding their usual anti-government protest during Labor Day, most labor groups organized campaign sorties for the candidates they are backing in the 2022 polls during the said holiday.

Members of the Nagkaisa labor coalition and Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) held a joint activities in Metro Manila on Sunday, which culminated at the Araneta Coliseum to support presidential candidate Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo and her running mate Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan.

In a statement, Nagkaisa chair and Federation of Free Workers (FFW) president Sonny Matula opted to focus their attention on the election due to its implication on the labor sector in the coming years.

“There is too much at stake in this coming elections for workers to stay mum,” said Matula, who is part of the senatorial ticket of Robredo.

FFW Vice President Julius Cainglet said the threat of the continuation of the culture of killing and corruption in the administration of some presidential candidates prompted Nagkaisa and other labor groups to back Robredo.

He said Nagkaisa picked Robredo due to her commitment to maintain constant communication with the labor sector.

“We know it will take time to meet our demands. There will be a transition process before we get the additional wage and end contractualization,” Cainglet said in a radio interview.

TUCP for Marcos

FOR its part, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) placed its hope for better working conditions in the candidacy of presidential bet Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. and his tandem, Sara Duterte-carpio.

Members of TUCP, wearing red, the campaign color of Marcos, held a town hall meeting in Diliman, Quezon City, which was attended by Marcos.

TUCP President Raymond C. Mendoza said they decided to support the presidential bid of Marcos after they conducted their membership consultation.

“It was a bottom-up approach. And our members picked Marcos,” Mendoza said.