TUCP ends squabble, affirms expulsion of Herrera

MANILA, Philippines - After months of squabbling among its leaders, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) resolved with finality the ouster of its former secretary general, former senator Ernesto Herrera.

The 24-man TUCP general council voted to affirm a previous resolution of the union executive board to expel Herrera and uphold the presidency of Democrito Mendoza.

Herman Nicdao, TUCP spokesperson and assistant general secretary, said the confirmation of Herrera’s expulsion by the general council made it final and leaves no venue for appeal.

The council also approved the expulsion of affiliates Alyansa ng Manggagawang Pilipinong Organisado (AMAPO) and Philippine Federation of Labor for alleged betrayal, dishonesty and acts inimical to the interest of the TUCP.

In a complaint, the Associated Labor Union (ALU) accused Herrera of religiously collecting P40,000 as compensation although he admitted that he represented the interest of the Alyansa ng Manggagawang Pilipinong Organisado (AMAPO) in the TUCP.

Nicdao also noted that Herrera had misrepresented himself as TUCP president after Mendoza filed his resignation. He said the TUCP’s executive board and general council did not accept the resignation and convinced Mendoza to serve out his term, which ends in December this year.

Last January, Herrera alleged that he legally assumed presidency upon the resignation of Mendoza. Other TUCP officials insisted Herrera merely led a minority faction of the union and has already been expelled as secretary general for alleged involvement in financial anomalies.