Despite Malacañang’s Paranoia, All Systems Go for Labor Day

Despite Malacañang's threats to re-impose PD1017, workers will pour out into the streets of major cities around the country to celebrate the International Labor Day and to protest the government's dubious charter change plans.

"Malacañang's paranoia is as great as its insecurity," Daniel L. Edralin, APL Chairperson said. "And its insecurity is understandable. After all, this government has done nothing to earn workers' support," Edralin added.

Amidst respectable economic growth these past few years, workers continues to suffer from a worsening jobs crisis and declining real incomes. It did not help either that this government imposed additional tax burdens at a time when the oil prices are soaring.

"Rather than listen to our grievances, the Arroyo regime opted to preoccupy itself with preparations for rally dispersals on Labor Day," Edralin said.

"We want regular employment not armed deployment! We demand war on poverty and joblessness, not war against the labor movement!" Edralin added.

For this reasons, the APL's battle cry tomorrow will be, "Sigaw ng Manggagawa, trabaho, sahod, krapatan at hindi Chacha!"

APL, together with other groups belonging to the Solidarity of Unions and Labor Organizations for a New Government or SULONG will reiterate its demand for a transitional revolutionary government.

APL will mobilize in the NCR, Lipa, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Zamboaga.

At 10:00 in the morning APL, together with its allied organizations like Akbayan, will assemble in Plaza Miranda where Prof. Randy David of Laban ng Masa, Representative Riza Hontiveros of Akbayan and Ronald Llamas of BISIG are expected to address the workers.

From Plaza Miranda, the APL will march to Liwasang Bonifacio to link with member organizations of SULONG.

At least 25,000 – 30,000 workers are expected to converge in Liwasang Bonifacio. From there, the workers will march to Mendiola.