[A day after Corona conviction] Workers, other sectors call for Arroyo conviction, Luisita distribution

One day after Chief Justice Renato Corona was convicted by the Senate impeachment court, labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno and other progressive sectoral organizations marched today to Mendiola to voice their demands in the wake of the impeachment trial.

The protestors called for the immediate conviction and jailing of former Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her cohorts, the immediate distribution of Hacienda Luisita’s lands to farmers, and immediate relief from the worsening hunger and unemployment in the country.

“Now that Corona is out of the way, Pres. Aquino should stop making palusot (excuses). He should immediately prosecute, convict, and jail for good former Pres. Arroyo for her grave crimes against the Filipino workers and people,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson.

“Now that he will have full control over the Supreme Court, Aquino will surely try to reverse the High Court’s ruling on Hacienda Luisita or try to maximize his family’s gains from its distribution to farmers. We are calling on the people to oppose any such schemes by the president,” he added.

“With a Supreme Court under his control, Aquino will surely find it easier to implement his anti-worker and anti-people policies. That’s why we are calling on the Filipino workers and people to intensify our fight for immediate relief from the worsening hunger and poverty in the country,” he said.

The labor center cited the following forms of immediate relief: the implementation of a P125 across-the-board wage hike for private sector workers nationwide and of a P6,000 increase in the minimum pay of government employees, the junking of contractual employment, an end to the demolition of poor communities, among others.

Other organizations joining KMU are the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap or Kadamay, Pagkakaisa ng mga Tsuper at Operators Natiowide or Piston, Gabriela, Anakbayan, League of Filipino Students, Migrante International, and the Confederation for Unity, Respect and Advancement of Government Employees or Courage.

Carrying banners that read “Ikulong si Gloria! Bantayan ang Luisita! Noynoy, pahirap sa bayan, labanan!” the protestors gathered at Isetann Recto and then marched to Mendiola where they held a short program.

“The fight for transparency and accountability among government officials should not end with Corona. All elected officials should be forced to disclose all their bank accounts and financial records to the public,” Labog said.