Legarda, Chavit, Mike grace TUCP congress

Senatorial candidates Loren Legarda, Luis "Chavit" Singson and Michael "Tol Mike" Defensor graced the 13th Supreme National Congress of Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, which is also gunning for a Congress seat as a party-list group in the coming May 14 elections.

Likewise, re-electionist Sen. Manuel Villar sent his wife, Las Piñas City Rep. Cynthia Villar, to represent him in the gathering of some 500 union leaders from around the country. Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña also attended the activity and delivered speeches in support for TUCP.

Former senator Ernesto "Boy" Herrera, who sits as senior vice president of TUCP, was also present during the event.

Legarda revealed her platform of government, which focuses on environment protection, poverty/hunger alleviation, public health and quality education

"Ako po ay hindi titigil hanggang lahat ng ating 80 million Filipinos ay hindi nakakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw," she said.

To do this, she said she would push to prioritize the agriculture and fisherfolk sectors by giving them access to low-cost fertilizers and post-harvest facilities.

She also asked for the support of the workers in pushing for her agenda for the welfare of all Filipino workers.

Defensor expressed support for the platform of TUCP that will give focus on three important things: employment, wage and housing for workers.

"Itutulak ko sa Senado katulad ng TUCP-trabaho, sahod, pabahay," he said, adding that housing is the number one need of workers.

Rep. Villar also expressed support for TUCP, saying she and her husband have always been supportive of the labor sector.

Singson also talked of his accomplishments as governor of Ilocos Sur, adding that if he becomes senator, he will give attention to the provinces on how they could be improved and be progressive.

Meanwhile, TUCP national president Democrito Mendoza said while the government boasts of lower inflation rate and higher Gross Domestic Product growth, workers don''t feel them because the economic gains are not being shared with the wide majority of Filipinos.

He said TUCP would insist on new labor policies, including the amendment to the Labor Code to curb the excess of globalization and further exploitation of workers.

TUCP spokesperson and third nominee Alex Aguilar said since 1998, when the government started to adopt the party-list system, none has truly represented the concerns of workers and no law has passed for the benefits of the wage earners.

TUCP is one of the 93 registered party-list groups for the coming elections.

Aguilar said their group would focus on three agendas - work, salary and housing - for the four million Filipinos who are unemployed.

Aside from Aguilar, the two other party-list nominees of TUCP are Raymund Mendoza and Arnel Dolindo. - Wenna A. Berondo/LPM