Around 150 delegates and guests attended the 7th Congress of Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan-Kilusang Mayo Uno (PAMANTIK-KMU) held in the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, Laguna on September 22-23.

The congress carried the theme “Ibayo pang magpalawak at magpatatag! Biguin ang lahatang panig na atake sa hanapbuhay, karapatang mag-unyon at magwelga! (Further consolidate and expand! Thwart the all-round attack against jobs, the rights to unionize and strike!)

“We could have held the regular 7th Congress in 2004. However, due to intense political repression at that time, it was an impossible to convene all the labor leaders to a congress,” said Luz Baculo, PAMANTIK secretary-general.

“The situation is still unsafe at this time, now with the intensifying and unresolved cases of political killings and repression. But the need to hold the Congress is a must. More urgent tasks are pressing at hand, one of which is filling in the vacant seat of the chairman.”

Justice for the chairman

The congress was formally launched in the morning of September 22, with an ecumenical mass held in time for the second year death anniversary of slain PAMANTIK chairman Diosdado Fortuna in Hornalan Public Cemetery, Calamba City, Laguna.

Striking workers of Nestle and their families attended the memorial service. Also present were representatives of the KMU National Council and other Manila-based labor organizations and institutions.

The memorial service was also highlighted by the inauguration of the Diosdado Fortuna Memorial Marker.

Luz Fortuna, Diosdado’s widow, thanked the assembly for tirelessly supporting the cause of her husband and the continued effort in seeking justice for his untimely death. She also challenged the striking Nestle workers, “Let us pursue the fight. This struggle is legitimate and just. Let us not be lured to the monetary offers of Nestle management.”

PAMANTIK chairman Diosdado Fortuna was also the union president in Nestle Cabuyao Plant. Fortuna was murdered by motorcycle-riding and bonnet-wearing men in the early evening of September 22, 2005 while he was on his way home from their picketline in Nestle. The case remains unresolved to this day.

The PAMANTIK 7th Congress also passed a resolution seeking justice for Fortuna and all victims of political repression and killings.

New leadership

On the second day, September 23, the Congress elected the posts in the executive committee for the next three years of PAMANTIK’s operations.

Romeo Legaspi was the newly elected PAMANTIK Chairperson. Legaspi is the current union president in Honda Cars Philippines and federation president of Organized Labor Industries and Agriculture (OLALIA-KMU).

Aleth Marispoque, was re-elected as Executive Vice-Chairperson. Luz Baculo was elected Secretary-General.

Other elected officers were Noel Alemania (Deputy Secretary-General), Rodel Diolata (Second Deputy Secretary-General, Joel Isabela (Treasurer), Steve Mendoza (Assistant Treasurer), Pedro Andino, Jr. (Auditor) and Fabian Cantalejo (Assistant Auditor).

KMU Secretary-General Wilson Baldonaza led the oath-taking ceremony of the new PAMANTIK officers.