Kilusang Mayo Uno

pinilak ang pakikibaka ng mga manggagawa sa pangunguna ng Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU)

You can now visit us at www.kilusangmayouno.org
Long live the workers! Defend civil liberties! Free Ka Bel!

posted by: KMU at 12:50 | link | comments (2) |

Candle for Democracy

The KMU launched Candle for Democracy. Despite the lifting of Proclamation No. 1017, KMU Emeritus and Anakpawis Rep. Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran
remains in detention. Every 6pm, let us continue to light candles outside our offices and houses to protest yet another veiled martial law -
a silent attack against critics of this government's anti-people and anti-worker policies.





WE appeal for the immediate release of Ka Bel for humanitarian reasons. He was illegally
arrested and detained without probable cause.  Now, he is charged with rebellion. But then,
is it rebellion for Ka Bel to advance the democratic rights and interests of workers and the
toiling masses on the streets and inside the Congress?

Bakit Tumaas ang Presyon ng Dugo ni Ka Bel

 

"Nananawagan ako sa mamamayang Pilipino na labanan ang pahirap  na diktadurya  ni Gng. Arroyo. Ako ay nagsisikap na makalaya sa ilegal na pagkakakulong na ito, para makasama kayo sa mga laban sa loob at labas ng Kongreso."

 

- Rep. Crispin Beltran,

bago siya ipasok sa Camp Crame

para sa inquest ng kasong rebelyon.

 

Si Ka Bel,

kilala ng marami - lalo na

ng mga manggagawa, magsasaka't

mga maralitang taga-lungsod -

ay walang habas na dinakip

at ipiniit sa paratang na

nagpapasiklab ng rebolusyon.

 

(Sa utos ng Presidenteng baligtad

ang pagkakilala sa kalayaan at demokrasya).

 

Sa pinakahuling balita,

tumaas daw ang presyon ng dugo ni Ka Bel,

hindi sa sindak o ligalig -

(sa pitumpung taon nang walang lubay

na pakikibaka'y tinakasan na yata siya ng takot)

kundi sa galit:

 

kasalanan ba ang ipaglaban

ang karapatan sa makatwirang sahod?

Ang paglaban para sa mga nagbubungkal ng lupa

at pagtutol sa demolisyon?

 

Ay! Palalong pinuno.

Sagot sa kahirapa'y buwis

sa hinaing ay bala

at sinumang maghayag ng katotohanan

ay walang salang bubusalan sa bibig.

 

Ano'ng kabalintunaan?
Ikinukulong ang nagtatanggol sa mamamayan.

At pinapaslang ang humihiyaw ng katarungan.

 

Sa loob ng piitan

si Ka Bel ay nagngingitngit,

hindi pinanghihinaan ng loob.

Igapos o ikulong man,

walang magawa ang Estado

sa patuloy na pagtakas

ng kanyang galit

sa mga taong sanhi ng pagkaduhagi

ng minamahal niyang kauri.

 

 

Soliman Agulto Santos

3 Marso 2006

 

posted by: KMU at 11:23 | link | comments (1) |

 

NEWS RELEASE

March 3, 2006

No stopping fight vs dictatorship of Arroyo

PP 1017 too hot to handle – KMU

“Vigilance must be maintained”.  This was the advice of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) as Arroyo withdrew PP 1017 this morning.  “The revocation was done merely in words not in deeds.  The attack on people’s rights will continue to intensify.”

According to Elmer “Ka Bong” Labog, National Chairperson of the KMU, “The rescinding of PP 1017 shall be used as a veil to obfuscate the intensifying suppression of the people’s democratic, civil and political rights.  By labeling the dissenters as ‘destabilizers’, it’s a go signal for attack.  Even though Arroyo declared the revocation of PP 1017, warrantless arrest and summary executions of activists remains.” 

Labog said Arroyo’s lifting of the State of National Emergency was done because “it was too hot to handle” as militants, media, lawyers, lawmakers and the rest of the nation bonded versus the Marcosian tactics.

Labog noted the report on DZMM that Arroyo use funds of the GSIS to infuse money on the stock market to make it bullish and create a positive outlook of the market on the PP 1017.  “Another clear manipulation to perpetuate her stay in the Palace,” said Labog.

The Department of Justice made it clear that crackdown on political opposition will continue, as Rep. Crispin Beltran remained in detention on trumped up charges of rebellion and inciting to sedition.  “How can service to the people, as exemplified by KMU Chairman Emeritus Ka Bel, and recognized by Congress by making him Congressman of the year for four consecutive years, be labeled as rebellious,” opined Labog.

One-party rule in the making

Meanwhile, Labog noted the start of a one-party rule under Arroyo.  “Atienza’s coup on the Liberal Party was clearly orchestrated by Arroyo and Mike Defensor.  Arroyo’s wants to maintain her grip on power by attacking the political parties opposed to her.  Arroyo’s is already consolidating power as election season is in the air,” said Labog.

Labog said that Arroyo will do everything to remain seated in Malacañang.  “Like a rabid dog, she will attack anyone who will express dissent to her rule.  Even Ka Bel who is already 73 years old and suffering from hypertension will not be spared,” stated Labog.

Yesterday, Ka Bel was rushed to the hospital due to hypertension, affirming the fear of the family and supporters of the Anakpawis Partylist Representative.  “We are reiterating our demand that Ka Bel be removed from Camp Crame and be brought to the Philippine Heart Center before his medical condition becomes even worse,” ended Labog. ###

posted by: KMU at 05:14 | link | comments |

NEWS RELEASE

February 28, 2006

Labor group slams AFP, DOJ for CPP front label

The militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today assails the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) for branding the KMU and other progressive organizations as front organizations of the CPP-NPA-NDF.

KMU National Chairman Elmer Labog said that the AFP and DOJ are singing old tunes stressing that the AFP and DOJ are desperate to silence and neutralize the KMU and the active opposition to the anti-worker and anti-people policies of the Arroyo government.

“We fear that more illegal arrests, forced disappearances and even killings will ensue after this labeling. But we will not be cowed by this just like what happened during the martial law years. The national office of the KMU is still operational including the offices of federations, regional chapters and local unions affiliated to KMU. We will not be intimidated nor hindered from serving the workers and the people. We will not withdraw from this fight,” pointed Labog.

Labog said that the arrests of KMU Chairman Emeritus Congressman “Ka Bel” Beltran of KMU and other trade union leaders will even anger all the more the workers and the people.

“Even ordinary Filipinos see the revival of old cases and slamming of charges against progressive leaders as absurd. In the desperation of the police, the military and Justice Sec. Raul Gonzales, they are making themselves laughing stocks. We know that not all judges will let themselves be used by them and disgrace even more the justice system in the country,” said the labor-leader.

Meanwhile, KMU Spokesperson Presto Suyat calls on the people to light candles in front of their houses, in the factories, offices, stores and other places at 6pm everyday in support of the “Candle for Democracy” to express resistance to Proc. No. 1017.

”Light a candle in front of our houses, offices and establishments to pray that the good for the country will prevail. Light a candle to oppose the state of national emergency or Mrs. Arroyo’s martial law. Light a candle to condemn arbitrary arrests and repressions of our democratic rights. This will be our simple way of extending the message to the palace that the people will not be silenced by her proclamations,” ended Suyat.###

 

posted by: KMU at 05:54 | link | comments |

NEWS RELEASE

February 25, 2006

 

PD 1017: a state of Gloria’s desperation
Workers appeal for Ka Bel’s freedom

The militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today dubs the declaration of national emergency or Presidential Decree (PD) 1017 as a state of Gloria’s desperation.

KMU National Chairman Elmer Labog said, “President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is apparently petrified of another people power that opposes her anti-people and anti-worker policies that cast this country to widespread poverty. The PD 1017 is essentially a martial law. Preceding this is the calibrated preemptive response (CPR), EO 464, no-permit-no-rally policies and other.”

Labog said that GMA is a specialist in circumventing laws. He likewise said that PD 1017 is much alarming because the palace will definitely use it to suppress the civil and libertarian rights through warrantless arrest and media outfit takeovers such as the “temporary takeover” by the Philippine National Police (PNP) of Tribune that was raided last night.

Labog calls on the media to be vigilant because it is evident that the freedom of expression is under attack.

“We should aggressively question the legality of PD1017. The people will not bite another bullet and we will flood the streets with protests. GMA is a traitor to the 1987 Constitution, to the people and country,  " Labog stressed.

The labor leader also said that apart from the suppression of freedom of expression through media censorship and banning of rallies, KMU also fears that the trade union movement is yet in danger of attack comparable to the martial law years. During the dictatorship, PD 823 explicitly bans workers strikes.

The KMU also assails the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and other business groups that supported the declaration, “From martial law in the factories and picket lines through low wages and assumption of jurisdiction, businessmen like Donald Dee proves to be a loyal collaborator of any form of Gloria’s martial law.”

The labor group also expressed condemnation of the support to PD 1017 given by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), “They were supporters of Marcos’ dictatorship before and they never fail their records.”

Workers appeal for Ka Bel’s freedom

“They should now free Ka Bel for humanitarian reasons. We worry for his health condition because of his age,” Labog said. Anakpawis Rep. Beltran is already 73 years old.

Labog said that Ka Bel’s plight reminds him of another labor advocate Felixberto “Ka Bert” Olalia who also suffered suppression from two regimes.

Ka Bert was arrested during the Quirino administration because of cases of subversion and rebellion in 1956. When he became a chairman of KMU, he was again arrested and jailed in August 13, 1982 under the Marcos administration. During his eight months of detention, his health deteriorated and he contracted heart disease and eventually died.

Meanwhile, Ka Bel also became a victim of martial rule during the crackdown on KMU leaders. He was also arrested with Ka Bert on August 13, 1982.

“The arrest is baseless and even the warrant they are referring to is preposterous. They have no basis to detain him any longer. The arrest of Ka Bel and other personalities reveal the real GMA agenda and that is to prevent people from protesting and ousting her, ” Labog said.

KMU will join the mass today at 6pm in La Salle, Greenhills to condemn the arrest of the Anakpawis solon. ###

 

posted by: KMU at 09:29 | link | comments |

NEWS RELEASE

February 22, 2006

EPCI-BDO  merger a done deal

KMU sees Arroyo pulling strings

The militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) fears a “done deal” on the merger of Equitable PCI Bank and  Banco De Oro as Social Security System (SSS) President Corazon dela Paz assumes the chairmanship of EPCI replacing Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

KMU Executive Chairperson Elmer Labog said that Dela Paz who has been outright vocal in favor of the EPCI-BDO merger is also known to be a stooge of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, “Our group doubts that Dela Paz will protect the interests of 18 million SSS members in EPCI as she is infamous for entering dubious transactions disadvantageous to SSS members.”

Dela Paz assumption as EPCI chairwoman is welcomed and supported by Banco de Oro.

In September 1999, the SSS and GSIS financially supported the merger of Equitable Banking Corp and Philippine Commercial International Bank. The SSS and GSIS  paid P90 per share during the deal.

Labog recalled that in 2003, under Dela Paz’ steer, the SSS sold  187.85 million Equitable PCI shares  to Banco de Oro for 43.50 pesos each, but was hindered with a case in the Supreme Court because of opposition from various sectors due to the deal’s apparent loss to SSS members.

KMU doubts easy loan access for Leyte mudslide victims

Labog expressed doubts on Arroyo’s pronouncement that Leyte mudslide victims will get easy access on SSS loans. “The mismanagement of SSS funds through anomalous transactions like this is the main cause why members of the pension fund have difficulty in acquiring loans and benefits. With the present financial position of SSS, Arroyo’s statement is built on loose ground.”

Labog reiterated the call for a full disclosure of Social Security System (SSS) investments and asks legislators to investigate those behind “disadvantageous” ventures amidst the upcoming EPCI-BDO merger.

Labog warns that the SSS funds which is built upon the sweat and toil of workers is in threat of a “financial catastrophe.” Anomalous investments, Labog said, expose the SSS reserved funds to risks which threaten the retirement needs, education, health and welfare of SSS members and their dependents.

“Since it is the workers money which SSS is built on, the voice of the workers should primarily be heard regarding any major financial transactions, “ended Labog. ###

posted by: KMU at 05:39 | link | comments |

NEWS RELEASE

February 15, 2006

La Niña months to hit Malacañang

Workers to wear red armbands to the streets

Militant workers, drivers, urban poor organizations and other allied groups such as Bayang Nagkakaisa para Palayasin si Arroyo (BAKLASIN si Arroyo) will flood to the streets wearing red armbands on Friday, February 17, says labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).

“We will wear red armbands to show our protest against the government’s heartless and callous disregard for our rightful demand for decent wages through P125 across the board wage hike which has long been overdue,” declared KMU National Chairperson Elmer Labog.

Last Monday, Oakwood soldiers have called upon the people to express and assert “displeasure at the sham regime” through street demonstrations and wearing red bands on the left arm.

Labog likewise warns Malacañang of La Niña months to come saying the workers and the people are disgusted with the administrations’ boastfulness of credit ratings and peso appreciations while continuing with neglecting its obligation to see to the welfare of the people, “Protests will definitely storm the palace because of its inutility to address the problems of grinding poverty and rising prices.”

“Filipinos are definitely losing their patience. Where are the actions aside from photo ops that she said she does to help the poor, where are the jobs she promised, where are the food that she promised on our tables, where is her vision and political will?” he further said while downplaying Mrs. Arroyo’s pronouncement about the “scent of victory in the country’s economic offensive.”

The labor leader cited the study by an independent think tank Ibon Foundation that 87% of the country’s families are poor based on the international poverty measurement counting those living under $2 a day as poor. The research group also estimated that 17 million workers suffer from job scarcity, with even those who have work hardly enough to meet their needs.

“With prices shooting up, the P275 minimum wages in the National Capital Region (NCR) alone continue to devalue. The real value of the peso, or the actual amount of goods and services one peso can buy, has fallen to P0.74 in January 2006 from P0.79 in the same month last year,” Labog explained.

The KMU likewise urges Mrs. Arroyo to make decisions “unpopular” to big business groups and IMF-WB through pushing the wage hike legislation. In a radio interview, Mrs. Arroyo said that while her political challengers do not have the guts and political will to make unpopular decisions that will eventually benefit the people, she has what it takes.

The KMU will converge at Isetann and march to Mendiola at 1 pm on Februaury 17. Similar protests will take place on other major points across the country to press on the wage hike and Mrs. Arroyo’s ouster. ###

 

posted by: KMU at 06:19 | link | comments |

NEWS RELEASE

February 14, 2006

 

Massive migration of private school studes blamed on indecent wages

The militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today said that the yearly massive migration of students from private to public schools stemmed from inhumane wages and the government’s disregard of the workers’ call for a decent wage hike.

“Our children are the victims of this heartless government because it has continued to deny them their decent meals and even their future through education,” says KMU Women’s Department Secretary Nenita Gonzaga.

The veteran woman labor leader said this in response to the statement by Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas citing study by the Department of Education (DepEd) that approximately 160,000 elementary and high school students are driven out of private schools each year due to spiraling costs of education, the need to survive and to help earn a living for their families.

According to the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES), the employment participation of Filipinos with ages 15-19 years reaches 2.46 million in January 2005.

Gonzaga explained that workers cannot anymore afford their children’s education with P275 minimum wage in National Capital Region (NCR), “Budgeting that amount among the necessary daily necessities in these times when prices and rates of basic goods and services shoot up is no easy feat. Children dropping out of school is the saddest face of the government’s inutility to help the people out of poverty.”

Gonzaga also held the government culpable for the downtrend in Philippine education because of its continued support of deregulation in the education sector. Deregulation, according to the labor leader, allows private schools to raise their tuition fees unhampered.

She also mocked Malacañang’s elation over the Fitch Ratings upgrade in its credit outlook on the , “Can we feed and send our children to school with credit ratings and peso appreciations?  If Mrs. Arroyo is so boastful of these so-called economic growth indicators, then why deny us the little workers who make the real wealth of the nation certain economic relief through wage hikes?”

The KMU also supports the government employees mass actions set today saying that the P3000 wage relief should be given to government employees. The labor group is geared for a mass mobilization on February 17 on Mendiola to push for a P125 wage hike across the country.

Workers ask DoE for tougher stance against oil companies

KMU Spokesperson Presto Suyat meanwhile asks Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla to have a tougher stance against oil companies in face of rising domestic prices of oil despite the downtrend in global oil prices.

Suyat said that a rollback should be carried out to ease the burden of the little jeepney drivers and operators as well as the ordinary people. He also urged the Department of Energy (DoE) to investigate these oil companies for overpricing, “these companies together with the government’s policy of a no-wage hike is pushing the people to hunger and poverty.”

Suyat also expressed amusement over Lotilla’s excitement over 2.7-kilo gasulitos priced at P164 per tank, “Ordinary Filipinos and workers know for a fact that “tingi”(commodities in small quantities or packaging) can really provide us with our needs especially with our depleted purchasing power. But like shampoos, toothpastes and deodorants sold in sachets, you still need to buy them frequently because it is used out easily. This is not sustainable way to address the issue of rising prices. ” ###

 

posted by: KMU at 09:49 | link | comments |

NEWS RELEASE

February 13, 2005

 Labor group hits GMA’s staged ‘LQ’ with oil companies

The militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today hits Malacañang’s order for oil firms to give a ‘written explanation” on their new round of price increases describing it as a ruse to dock critics on its 2% additional value added tax (VAT).The climb in prices came despite the strengthening of the peso against the dollar.

KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog scored the decision as a staged love quarrel (LQ) between President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the big oil companies which he said have long ago signed an unwritten sweetheart deal, “They both benefit from deregulated increase in the prices of petroleum products. Mrs. Arroyo continues to reap mammoth taxes from the oil companies’ sales and the companies are able to raise their prices unhampered.’

Labog also scored the exclusion of the no pass-on provision in the Reformed VAT. The non-inclusion of this provision, he said, is advantageous for the oil companies while the end-consumers, the small drivers and the ordinary people are the ones who suffer from the increases. Global oil companies meanwhile recently posted record profits.

“Yes, we want a written explanation from the oil companies,” insisted Labog, “and we also want a written explanation from Mrs. Arroyo why she has, in these times of economic crisis in the ordinary people’s livelihood, advocated an anti-people and regressive tax laws.”

The labor leader also demanded that Mrs. Arroyo should give a full disclosure on the fertilizer scam, EO 464, electoral fraud issues and all her ‘sins’ to the Filipinos.

“Mrs. Arroyo broke our hearts,” Labog added in face of the government’s disregard for the workers’ unceasing call for a decent wage hike.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Caltex Philippines Inc. and Petron Corp. headed other gas firms in shooting up the gasoline, diesel and kerosene prices by 50 centavos per liter over the weekend.

Apart from this, the prices of unleaded gasoline went up by 70 centavos per liter while diesel went up by 60 centavos per liter as a consequence of the 2% additional VAT. The prices of LPG rose between P8.90 and P9.80 per kg.

The labor group meanwhile scored the statement by the leaders of some transport group that they will continue their .50 cents fare discount in face of the .50 centavos diesel hike, “There is a clear clandestine politics behind this political gimmick because these transport leaders are not defending the interests of their constituents. Instead of protesting the oil increases, they are being use as pawns of the Arroyo government and the oil companies to hide the fact that the ordinary drivers cannot anymore afford oil price hikes and additional taxes.”###

 

posted by: KMU at 07:06 | link | comments |

NEWS RELEASE

February 10, 2006

KMU hits North Harbor privatization, supports port workers and broad alliance struggle

Huge toll fee fines from supposed overloading is only one of the problems facing truckers that jammed the northbound road traffic flow leading to North Luzon Tollways in Balintawak, Quezon City according to the militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).

KMU National Chairperson Elmer Labog said that the local trucking drivers stand to lose their job once the privatization of the Manila North Harbor push through, “The full impact of the privatization scheme will affect all sectors from the Arrastre and Stevedoring contractors, workers, porters, restaurant owners, vendors and even the local truckers in the harbor.”

The Alliance of Port/Transport Workers and Porters in North Harbor (APTWP-NH), a broad alliance of affected sectors in the harbor, complained that they were not invited and consulted in connection to the outlining of the Term of Reference (TOR) of the privatization scheme.

Jake Azores, union president of the Samahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Pantalan in United Dockhandlers, Inc. which is also part of the broad alliance said, “Walang malinaw na solusyon kung ano ang nangyayari sa panahon ng modernisasyon ng pantalan. Saan kami kukuha ng pambayad sa upa ng bahay, tubig, ilaw, pagkain, pag-aaral ng mga anak at iba pang batayang pangangailangan kung namodernisa na ito lalo na sa ngayon na lubhang krisis o kahirapan?”

The APTWP-NH argued that the north harbor does not need privatization or modernization since the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) which manage the port registered a profit of P2.87 billion in the first half  of 2005 alone based on the data released by Ms. Aida Dizon of the PPA Finance.

“Kung gusto nilang magmodernisa ng pantalan, gamitin ang pondo ng PPA na kinita nito tulad ng pagsasaayos sa Port of Guimbal sa Iloilo. Nasaan na ang bilyun-bilyong kinita nito? Bakit palagi na lamang napupunta sa mga dayuhan ang mga naisasapribadong pag-aari ng gobyerno na magdudulot ng pinsala sa aming trabaho, kabuhayan  at paninirahan?” Azores argued.

The Manila North Harbor will be modernized under a Build-Operate-and-Transfer Scheme with foreign contractors within a period of 25 years and renewable for another 25 years. Local contractors, asserted Azores, will not be awarded contracts  that will prevent them to buy modern equipments and thus be excluded in the modernization plan.

Labog, on the other hand, said that the port privatization is also an attack on the unionized sector in the shipping industry, “Privatization will eventually lead to the disregard of the existing union CBAs in the port as new foreign contractors will arrive.”

Labog further said that contractual and agency-hired employees will replace the regular workers. “It has come to our attention that certain so-called management unions in the North Harbor  are pushing for port workers enterprises to replace unions. Clearly, this will result to the further exploitation of port workers,” Labog explained.

Labog also believed that the privatization of the Manila North Harbor will also shoot up the rates of services in the port. He recalled that all the privatization effort of the government have led to hikes in services and prices such as the privatization of the North Luzon Expressway, Coastal Road, PETRON, water services such as Maynilad, and others.

“This  privatization scheme of the Arroyo government is a desperate attempt to squeeze more money from the toiling workers and people and a milking cow for corruption by the present administration,” Labog ended. ###

 

posted by: KMU at 06:58 | link | comments |