Labor’s unsolicited advice to three Liberal senatoriables

Organized labor has its own bets in the coming senatorial race. The trade union movement is rallying behind the candidacy of Ka Leody de Guzman, Neri Colmenares, Ernie Arellano, Sonny Matula and Allan Montano.

But we issue this unsolicited advice to three senatoriables from the elite-dominated Liberal Party (LP), particularly to three aspirants who have a notable track record in the fight for political liberties and human rights. We are referring to Erin Tañada, Chel Diokno and Samira Gutoc.

Be wary of your party mates. For traditional politicians, loyalty to the party — to platform, principles and procedures — does not exist. They shed their party colors as easily as snakes shed their skins. They are neither loyal to their country, which should have primacy, as a popular quote by Manuel L. Quezon said.

“Trapos” toe the line set by foreign powers, be it America or China, and the power global monopolies that now rule the planet. For dyed-in-the-wool politicians, they even regard candidates from within their own slate as enemies who could be sacrificed anytime to secure their spot in the electoral race.

The masses have a term for it: “laglagan.” Tañada, Diokno and Gutoc should be wary of the likes of Mar Roxas, who now mouths mixed signals by expressing support for the current administration of Rodrigo Duterte.

To Erin, Chel and Samira: Your speeches at your sorties rightfully echo the sentiment of the people against a regime that has not delivered on its promise to change the lives of the poor. You are right to pinpoint high prices due to the oil excise taxes, the wanton disregard for and violation of human rights in the so-called antidrug campaign, and the discrimination against the Bangsamoro people under a government that has placed Mindanao under martial rule.

Mar Roxas does not share your views; neither does he care to share the stage with you at the LP sorties. “Otso Diretso” would not be a straight eight for the likes of Mar.

To say that Mar Roxas, the ambitious politico from the landed classes, has copped out would be an overstatement. In truth, he never really opposed Mr. Duterte. He knew that the current economic programs did not stray from the neoliberal doctrine of liberalization, deregulation, privatization and contractualization — policies that were first pursued by the Cory Aquino administration.

Hence, to the aforementioned three LP candidates, we urge them to continue on critiquing the antipoor, antiworker policies of the Duterte regime. Trust not on your elite-dominated party for vote generation, even as it may boast of local trapos (governors, vice governors, mayors, councilors, etc.) under its wing.

Together, we should forge the collective will of the toiling and impoverished masses against this murderous and fascist government. Let the 2019 midterm elections organize the protest vote that would be the wellspring for a powerful workers’ and people’s opposition movement in the latter half of the Duterte administration.

SONNY MELENCIO,
Chair,
Partido Lakas ng Masa