"We may be suffering from hunger, meager wages, and oppression, but our march to Malacanang will push through on May 1.”

This was the statement of Elmer ‘Ka Bong’ Labog, KMU Chairperson regarding their plan this coming Labor Day.

Labog said the demand for wage increase, the rising cost of rice, food and oil, and the continued violence against workers and the people are national issues that demand the attention of Malacanang, so they will assert to hold a program at the Mendiola bridge near the palace.

“If PGMA will not immediately grant the demand for a P125 wage hike, halt the incessant increases in the cost of rice, food, and petroleum, and stop the widespread corruption in the government, then her ouster will come sooner.

“The massive nationwide protests of workers and people on May 1 will revive the momentum for the ouster movement.”

Labog added that several groups and personalities who unite with them on the campaign against corruption, hunger, poverty, and political repression will join them on the May 1 program at Liwasang Bonifacio.

These groups include organizations under the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, the Labor Day Committee, government employees under COURAGE, bank employees from the Concerned Makati Employees (CoME), movie industry workers led by Director Joel Lamangan and members of the Concerned Citizens Group headed by Josie Lichauco.

Former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Jamby Madrigal, and Bong Revilla, among others, also signified their interest to join the protest.

KMU will have five converging points in Manila before trooping to Liwasang Bonifacio: UST at Espana, Quirino at Taft Avenue, Plaza Moriones at Tondo, and Stop N Sop at Sta. Mesa.

The KMU program at Liwasan will be at 1pm to 3:30pm. Afterwards, they will march to Mendiola where they are expected to be joined by EDSA 3 groups such as the People’s Movement Against Poverty (PMAP), and the Union of the Masses for Democracy and Justice (UMDJ).

Prestoline Suyat, KMU Spokesperson, assured that the protest at Liwasang Bonifacio and Mendiola will be peaceful, unless disrupted by elements of Arroyo’s police and military.

“To celebrate May 1 and to protest against the widespread hunger and poverty is very important to us, so we will not allow the Arroyo government, who cannot hide further the ills of the country, to hinder us.

“We already filed a permit and we hope Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim will be true to his promise that rallies will be allowed at Mendiola on holidays. We also had a dialogue with Acting Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and we hope he would cooperate with us in this special day of the workers,” Suyat said.

KMU and allied organizations are also set to hold protests at Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Bicol, Masbate, Tarlac, Baguio, Cebu, Tacloban, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, General Santos, Caraga region, and Cagayan de Oro, among others.