SC decision junking Sol Gen appeal hailed by Labor Center
The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Labor Center hailed the Supreme Court (SC) 2nd Division decision junking the Motion for Reconsideration filed by Solicitor-General Agnes Devanadera against the earlier SC dismissal of the case against the “Batasan 6” and called it "a high note amidst the drone of injustice.”
“Once again, the Supreme Court has decided that the case against the Batasan 6 bears not a single iota of merit. There is no hindrance for newly proclaimed Representative Crispin ‘Ka Bel’ Beltran to freely walk out of the Heart Center of the Philippines,” said Elmer “Ka Bong” Labog, National Chairperson of the KMU.
According to Labog, workers are set to hold a picket today at 3:00 in the afternoon to demand the immediate release of Ka Bel. “The release of Ka Bel before the start of the 14th Congress will inject new life to the demand of workers for a P125 across-the-board legislated wage hike. The voice of workers would again be heard inside an institution dominated by big business and landlords."
Labog clarified that the Bill seeking for a legislated wage hike would remain the top priority for Ka Bel and they are also in the process of consultation with workers to develop more pro-worked and pro-poor legislation. "We have learned lessons on how big business torpedoes any bill promoting the welfare of workers and we will have to adjust to make our demand for a legislated wage increase a reality,” explained Labog.
Meanwhile, the labor leader also called for more vigilance against the Human Security Act (HSA) despite Ka Bel’s expected release today.
“With the passage and implementation of HSA this July 15, Ka Bel and all freedom-loving and genuine servants of the people will be labeled "terrorists" and therefore will be subjected for arrest, harassments and even physical elimination. Knowing Ka Bel, he will not be cowed by this unconstitutional and undemocratic law. We should defend the remaining democratic space we are enjoying under a very repressive Arroyo regime," Labog ended.