Thousands of workers marched on the streets of Manila together with hundreds from other sectors of society to commemorate Labor Day
More than two weeks ago, I marched in my third Labor Day rally in Manila, together with thousands from different sectors of society, to commemorate international workers’ day. Being the last Labor Day celebration under the Gloria Arroyo government, the theme of the mobilization was centered on ensuring her departure from the Malacanang, her nine-year regime having been characterized by record high unemployment, depressed wages and grave abuses of workers’ rights, and on ensuring the people’s commitment to prosecute her for her administration’s sins and failures. Being a few days before the national elections, the celebration was also an opportune time for various sectors to demand from all the candidates a pro-people and nationalist labor platform, a discussion of which has been all but silenced with all the shallow and petty mudslinging that characterized the three-month campaign period.
Reps. Liza Maza & Satur Ocampo marching with leaders of workers' unions and other sectors
Rainier Sindayen, Chairperson of the University of the Philippines Diliman student council, leads the chants as the thousands marched through Quezon Boulevard onto Liwasang Bonifacio
Hundreds of students, and other youths, members of Kabataan Partylist also marched together with other sectors to commemorate Mayo Uno, reaffirming the call for the government to ensure jobs for the half million new young graduates this year
Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo delivers his speech in front of the thousands that converged in Liwasang Bonifacio
Sectoral leaders burned an effigy of President Gloria Arroyo inside a jail cell to symbolize the people's commitment to prosecute her for the sins, excesses and failures of her decade-long administration
Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza gives her speech in front of the crowd, reaffirms the role of women in genuine social change
Flags of different organizations, including that of Kabataan Partylist's, are waved upon the closing of the program at Liwasang Bonifacio, in preparation for the march to Mendiola
Marchers on Quezon Bridge on the way to Mendiola
The crowd at Mendiola stretched from the foot of Chino Roces Bridge across to Recto Avenue
The crowd at Mendiola, torches were brought together to create a bonfire, while sectoral leaders delivered rousing speeches to cap the day-long commemoration
law student, leftist, national democratic, film school graduate, photography hobbyist
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Hi Bikoy!
I passed by Quiapo a few days ago and I noticed that some vandals painted “Vote Kabataan Partylist” on the bridge near it. Since then I have seen more in other places around the metro. I was wondering whether this activity (the vandalism thing) is being encouraged by the party, or was the act of some overzealous supporters. Please, if you can, discourage your partymates from doing this, because as petty as it is compared to the “bigger problems” your party is tackling, it is still illegal and very unsightly. After all, the coat of paint to clean it up will come from public funds.