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Friday, March 29, 2024

Labor, urban poor ally with Escudero

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Partido Lakas ng Masa, a political party composed of marginalized sectors like labor and the urban poor, has thrown its support behind independent vice presidential candidate Senator Francis  “Chiz” Escudero, who  will work  to push for a “Plataporma ng Pagbabago” (Platform of Change), a seven-point platform of meaningful reforms for the rights and welfare of the poor.

PLM chairman  Sonny Melencio said on Thursday that “an alliance has now been forged between the party of the laboring masses and Senator  Escudero on the basis of advancing specific and concrete demands of the toiling and impoverished majority.”

He added that teaming up with Escudero would ensure that “the urgent, everyday problems of the Filipino masses are not lost in the raucous electoral arena.”

Escudero for his part said that the seven-point agenda was consistent with the platform he shared with running mate Senator Grace Poe.

“We believe in a government with a heart, one that is sensitive to the problems confronted by the majority of our people. We also believe that whatever growth and progress enjoyed by the nation should be shared by all and not just a few—dapat walang maiiwan [no one should be left behind],” said the senator.   

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Melencio said that the seven key reforms include (a) regular employment; (b) social services such as education, housing, transportation; (c) land use and government support for farmers; (d) climate justice; (e) pro-people budgeting and progressive taxation; (f) eradication of corruption; and (g) people’s sovereignty.

The seven-point platform, launched last week in Quezon City, is supported by seven senatorial candidates, 37 local candidates, and three party-list groups.   

The senatorial hopefuls that have expressed support for the “Plataporma ng Pagbabago” include retired general and Young Officers Union founder Dado Valeroso of Partido Lakas ng Masa, former Akbayan representative Walden Bello, Rep. Neri Colmenares of the Makabayan bloc, labor leader Allan Montano of the Federation of Free Workers, migrant workers advocate Susan Ople, and legal counsels Lorna Kapunan and Levi Baligod.

Among the local candidates that support the platform are Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman and Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn, along with party-list groups Ating Guro, Ang Nars, and Sanlakas.

Melencio said that the elections presented an opportunity “to organize the masses under a platform for social change and meaningful reforms.”

He also explained that Escudero and the PLM had agreed to push for a clear pro-people agenda that will address issues that “have aggravated the poverty and misery of the Filipino people, but are wantonly pursued by the Liberal Party” like contractualization.   

“Likewise, support for Chiz will thwart the bid of main rival Bongbong Marcos to restore the Marcos’ fortunes and power at the national level,” Melencio said.

Formed in January 2009, PLM is composed of national labor organizations Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Transportasyon, Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralitang Lungsod, Aniban ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura, Piglas Kabataan and Sanlakas.

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