LEFT-LEANING labor leaders and activists are taking a shot at the parliament as a form of their struggle. Even though perceived by some as non-winnable or even nuisance, their candidacies should be taken positively.
Their enthusiasm to participate in the national elections and in the parliament strengthens the pillars of democracy and widens the space for participatory governance. Let them pursue their socio-economic-political platform for development and reform within the halls of the House of Representatives and the Senate. This somehow will pull them away from violent acts to pursue their political aims.
In most democratic countries, left politics stands as fiscalizers and framers of reforms. They ensure their sectors’ and the people's interest in lawmaking, and keep other lawmakers who are protecting big business interests on their foot.
They were once tagged “Red” by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). The organizations which they belong to were suspected as “front” organizations allegedly sympathetic to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People's Army (NPA), and are supporting the armed insurrection.
However, they denied the allegations, and that the accusations were baseless without hard evidence to bring them to court of law. They asserted that they are fighting for legitimate issues of the people both on the streets and inside the parliament. They call themselves as the democratic left underscoring their being critical to government programs and policies that do not serve the interest of the people.
Leodegario “Ka Leody” de Guzman, is taking a bid for the presidential seat in 2022. He broke away from the militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) in the early 1990s and formed the Bukluran ng Manggawang Pilipino (BMP) a socialist labor organization. Ka Leody is aiming for a system change where the Filipino masses can have a fair chance against the ruling elite in running the country.
Neri Colminares, a human rights lawyer defender, and a former congressman of the Makabayan bloc is taking another shot at the Senate where he ran last 2019 but lost. Neri was considered to be guest candidate in the ticket of Vice President Leni Robredo but was eased out by the VP. At the same time, presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao, also endorsed Neri Colmenares to his senatorial team.
A new comer to join the Senate race is Elmer “Bong” Labog, a hotel and restaurants union leader and the incumbent chairman of KMU. Labog said he would advocate for the workers’ and farmers’ interest in the Senate.
Another labor leader Atty. Sonny Matula who sits as chairman of the NAGKAISA, a labor coalition and president of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) is running for the Senate. He said he will push for safe work places taking note from the sad plight of the workers under the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moreover, there are other labor groups that endorse and support their champions in the presidential, senatorial, and congressional races. This is good and this is fine.
Tagging them “red” and pushing them away from participating in the parliament alienates them, and they become vulnerable to radicalization. Give them the open space for discourse, dialogues, and participation. The parliament is a better option than armed violence.