Colmenares rallies workers for ‘labor vote’ in May 13 polls

INQUIRER.NET / GABRIEL PABICO LALU

MANILA, Philippines — On Labor Day, former Bayan Muna lawmaker Neri Colmenares rallied Filipino workers to unite in expressing their dissent on policies that are deemed “anti-workers.”

Colmenares, who is gunning for a Senate seat, said Wednesday labor organizations should not cease to fight for workers’ rights.

“Ano ang importansya ng laban ng manggagawa? Ang importansya ng laban ng manggagawa ay ang planong agenda para ibaba ang presyo, tutulan ang Cha-cha,” Colmenares noted.

“Ngayong Araw ng Paggawa, inuulit namin ang panawagan sa sektor ng paggawa, magkaisa tayo sa ngayon at dapat lalo nating igiit ang ating mga panawagan,” he added.

According to Colmenares, workers across the country should stand together for a “labor vote” to elect a representative from the labor sector to the Senate.

“Kung may labor vote at kung hihikayatin ng Labor Win ang manggagawa na bumoto ng iisa sa dadating na halalan, ‘yan ang siguradong panalo natin,” he added.

Labor Win is a coalition of labor leaders aspiring to become senators via the May 13 midterm polls.

Among its candidates are Colmenares, Bukluran ng mga Mangagawang Pilipino head Leody de Guzman, Federation of Free Workers president Sonny Matula, labor lawyer Allan Montaño, and Kilusang Mayo Uno founder Ernesto Arellano.

Colmenares said his “bailiwicks” to enable his victory in this year’s senatorial race are the labor and youth sectors, and the Church.

READ: Colmenares banking on labor, youth, church vote for May polls

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