Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) Rep. Joel Maglunsod, whose recent accession to Congress was made possible through a recent Supreme Court ruling junking the so-called Panganiban formula in computing the number of party-list seats, vowed to push the demand for a legislated wage increase in the House of Representatives.

Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal praised the late Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran for his commitment to social change. She lambasted President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her political allies for being “puppets of US imperialism” and hailed Makabayan (Patriots), a newly-formed progressive coalition that will be fielding senatorial candidates in the 2010 elections. “In 2010, let us not vote for new trapos (traditional politicians),” she said.

Migrante International chairman Garry Martinez denounced the Arroyo administration for its pursuit of the labor-export policy. “They export our fellow Filipinos like mangoes, in exchange for remittances which they steal,” he cried.

Danilo Ramos, secretary-general of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP or Peasant Movement of the Philippines), called Arroyo a “pest” to farmers. “This government represses and kills those who fight for wages, land, jobs, and rights,” he said.

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) chairperson Leona “Leleng” Zarzuela called Arroyo a “thief”, condemned the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for harassing the urban poor, and called on the Filipino people to fight, “kahit hanggang sa kataas-taasang antas” (even up to the highest level).

Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP) Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan denounced labor contractualization. Renato Reyes, Jr. of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance) lashed out at the Arroyo administration for not providing real jobs to Filipinos.

The program organizers also played a recorded message from Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada, star witness in the National Broadband Network (NBN) scam, who is now detained following his arrest on perjury charges filed by former Presidential Chief of Staff Mike Defensor. In his message, Lozada called for unity.

After the program at the Liwasang Bonifacio, the protesters staged a torch parade to the US Embassy and were able to reach all the way to the corner of T. M. Kalaw Street and Roxas Boulevard, or just a few steps from the embassy, before being stopped by police. They held their program there, with GABRIELA’s Emmi de Jesus shouting “Kamatayan sa imperyalismo!” (Death to imperialism!) and KMU’s Roger Soluta calling for socialism as the answer to imperialism.(Bulatlat.com)

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