Members of labor organizations Partido Manggagawa and Kilusang Mayo Uno march on Bonifacio Day, Nov. 30, 2024. Courtesy: Partido Mangggagawa and Kilusang Mayo Uno 

MANILA — Labor groups on Saturday marked Bonifacio Day with protests to call for lower prices of basic commodities and higher wages, an end to both contractual labor and political dynasties, whose concentration of power they said have led to lack of economic development.

Groups with the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition marched in Manila to commemorate the birth anniversary of revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio, whom the mass movement in the Philippines identifies with and is seen as a symbol of the struggle of the working class.

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"The dominance of political dynasties is a key factor in the mass poverty and economic underdevelopment of the country," Partido Manggagawa secretary general Judy Miranda said in a press release.

"In the coming 2025 elections, we see the perverse evolution of fat dynasties into obese ones and the almost total capture of the party-list system—which was meant for representation by workers and other marginalized sectors—by power-hungry trapos (traditional politicians)," she added.

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She said that these "trapos" deserve to be "endo" — referring to "end of contract", a practice of hiring workers for successive short-term contracts that deprive them of job security and mandated benefits — instead of laborers.

“If Bonifacio were alive today, he would lead the Katipunan in a fight to end political dynasties as a pathway for true independence and real development," she also said.

PM joined the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition protest in front of Ramon Magsaysay High School along España in Manila on Saturday morning, with protesters planning to march to Mendiola Street near Malacañang where they will hold another program. 

PM said members also held protests in Cebu City and in Bacolod City.

KMU PROTESTS HIGH PRICES, LACK OF JOB SECURITY 

Kilusang Mayo Uno held another protest at Liwasang Bonifacio on what they called "Araw ng Paniningil ng Masang Anakpawis" or a day for the toiling masses to seek redress from government.

KMU members and supporters from allied organizations also planned to march to Mendiola.

"Nagmamartsa ang malawak na hanay ng masang anakpawis patungong Mendiola upang ipaabot ang ating matinding pagkundena sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin at kawalan ng katiyakan sa kabuhayan ng mamamayan," KMU said on its Facebook account, which also posted videos of the protest.

(The broad ranks of the masses are marching to Mendiola to air our condemnation of the continuing increase in prices and the lack of security in people's livelihoods)

"Sama-sama tayong manindigan para sa makatarungang sahod at trabaho, at ipaglaban ang karapatan at kalayaan ng sambayanang Pilipino!' the group also said.

(Together, let's take a stand for fair wages and work and fight for the rights and freedoms of the Filipino people)

KMU also posted a video of protesters being blocked by police to keep them away from Mendiola, a tradtional site for protests because of its proximity to the Palace.

'NO SIDES IN MARCOS-DUTERTE RIFT'

Partido Manggagawa said it would not take sides in the brewing tension between the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, whose supporters have called for a "People Power"-style protest at the EDSA Shrine.

"[They are] merely interested in retaining political power for its own sake. In contrast, the House of Labor demands social justice and social change,” Miranda said.

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"Habang tumitindi ang kahirapan ng sambayanan, ang dating Uniteam ay abala sa kanilang bangayan at korapsyon," KMU said.

(While the people sink deeper into poverty, the former UniTeam is busy with their own rivalry and corruption)

"Inilaladlad lamang ng gitgitan ng mga Marcos at Duterte ang pagpapauna sa kani-kanilang interes kaysa sa kapakanan ng taumbayan," the labor group also said.

(The clash between Marcos and Duterte only shows they are putting their own interests before the welfare of the people)

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Marcos Jr. has indicated he is not in favor of any plans to impeach Duterte, whose offices are under investigation by the House of Representatives on their use of confidential funds.

The hearings have raised questions on questionable acknowledgement receipts in the disbursement of those funds.

He has also said, however, that the government cannot let Duterte's threats against him and his family pass.

Duterte, meanwhile, has accused the administration of zeroing in on her to discredit her ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.