Party-lists turn Labor Day fete into miting de avance

Some party-list groups turned their Labor Day celebration into a miting de avance to promote their groups’ candidacy and even the politicians they support in the coming May 14 elections.

On the eve of May 1, some 1,000 members and officers of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Kabataan and Suara Bangsamoro, all running as party-lists in the coming elections, converged in front of Gaisano Metro along Colon Street.

The event was graced by Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, Genuine Opposition senatorial candidates Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, former governor Vicente de la Serna and other local candidates.

During the miting de avance, Bayan Muna and its allied groups also publicly endorsed the candidacy of Antonio Yapha and Clavel Martinez, for governor and vice governor respectively in the coming May 14 elections.

Yesterday, these groups also joined the Labor Day celebration by holding a march from Fuente Osmeña to Colon Street.

They pushed for the approval of the P125-across-the-board legislated wage increase and asserted on the people’s right to decent employment, equal opportunities and humane living conditions, which they claimed are part of their platform of government.

Also yesterday, workers from Alliance of Progressive Labor and the Confederation of Independent Unions marched from Fuente Osmeña to barangay Cogon-Ramos to attend the miting de avance of the Akbayan party-list.

APL and CIU, which claim membership over 120,000 workers in private, public and formal and informal sectors, declared their support for Akbayan and its nominees.

"Reelecting Akbayan, which has consistently championed the rights of workers and other marginalized sectors, would help break the backbone of patronage politics in the country. Its nine-year track record in advancing and defending workers’ rights and welfare proves its commitment to give voice to workers in Congress," APL chairman Danny Edralin said.

Akbayan vowed to maintain its independent and oppositionist stance in Congress. The party is confident that an anti-GMA sentiment will prevail on election day. — Wenna A. Berondo/BRP