Arroyo's Team Unity faces isolation from voting Filipinos

Labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today said that Arroyo's Team Unity senatorial line up faces sharp isolation from the voting Filipinos. "Workers are disgusted with Arroyo's Team Unity. It's a clearly a composite of political has beens, wannabes, trapos and trying hard candidates."

"The administration's line up is offensive to workers. It's an insult to the thinking public. Arroyo's squad of senatoriables cannot expect substantial vote from the organized labor movement," said KMU Chairman Elmer Labog.

Labog said that the administration line up composed of re-electionists, returning senators, cabinet officials and traditional politicians is not appealing to broad social sectors, particularly to the poor section of the country's population. "Workers are matured voters. We keep tabs on the Senatoriables' political track record as well as their stance on important issues concerning workers, including the legislated wage hike demand, anti-people tax measures and others."

Meanwhile, KMU is fully supporting reelectionist political party Anakpawis Party List in the upcoming elections. "During its first term in office, Anakpawis Party List through its Representatives Crispin Beltran and Rafael Mariano forwarded resolutions that genuinely reflect the interests and demands of the broad masses of workers, urban and rural poor.

Release Cong. Crispin Beltran

The group is preparing for nationally-coordinated activities on February 26 to mark the 1st year of Rep. Crispin Beltran's incarceration after the Arroyo administration declared PP 1017 in February 25 last year.

"As proof of his untainted and sincere public service, Ka Bel is consistently included in the Congress' Most Outstanding Representatives for the past three years. As the first nominee of Anakpawis Party List, Ka Bel must be able to join electoral activities. His continued detention has no legal basis. The administration only wants to silence progressive voice in Congress."

KMU is fielding its Secretary General Joel Maglunsod as Anakpawis' third nominee. Traditionally, election in the Philippines is all about self-interests, we want to change that. Workers need to more voices in Congress in order to advance more pro-labor bills.

The labor group joined the presentation of progressive party lists at Liwasang Bonifacio today.