Farmers’ group rejoins TUCP

MANILA, Philippines - After the Court of Appeals (CA) has ruled that former Sen. Ernesto Herrera is the rightful president of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), the members of the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) decided to rejoin the largest workers center in the country. 

The re-entry of the FFF further strengthens the workers’ unity and completes the TUCP-International Trade Union Federation’s (ITUC) massive and qualitative representation of the industrial, overseas and farm workers. 

The TUCP-ITUC also announced its initiative in organizing various multi-sectoral meetings to address how their group can help in promoting investment, improving productivity, promoting harmony in labor-management relations and in skills development. 

Former Agriculture Secretary and FFF president Leonardo Q. Montemayor said the unity of the farmers with the workers of the industries would certainly “further strengthen our capability and influence in pushing policies and programs that would effectively address the problems of the workingman”.   

“It is a no-brainer why the FFF has decided to renew its affiliation with TUCP,” according to Montemayor.

The CA’s seventh division, in a 32-page decision dated Oct. 7, said Herrera should remain as holdover president until the labor group elects a new set of leaders.

The fight for the TUCP presidency arose when Democrito Mendoza, the group’s president for 32 years, submitted his resignation to the union’s Executive Board in November 2011. 

He later tried to withdraw his resignation, but by that time, Herrera, who was then TUCP’s general secretary, had taken over his post.

The CA voided all of Mendoza’s actions after his resignation and prohibited him and his representatives or agents from interfering with Herrera.

Even the court issued a decision, TUCP’s parent organizations – International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Asia Pacific based in Singapore and ITUC in Brussels  –had recognized Herrera as TUCP president. 

The American Center for International Labor Solidarity, the Union Network International – Asia Pacific and the Danish Trade Union Council also backed Herrera.