Labor leaders reaffirm their long-standing commitment to fighting for the fundamental needs of the working class by running for the Senate.

They denounce the dishonest claims made by traditional politicians during each campaign that they will fight for the masses’ grievances, merely resulting in the opposite effect in the end.

This is the united stance of lawyer Ernesto Arellano, National Confederation of Labor – NCL; lawyer Luke Espiritu, chairman of Bukluran ng mga Manggagawang Pilipino -BMP; Leody de Guzman, chairman emeritus of BMP; Sonny Matula of Federation of Free Workers-FFW and former Bayan-Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite representing senatorial bet Jerome Adonis, secretary general of Kilusang Mayo Uno.

They detailed in the Labor Forum the poor working conditions and unjust compensation that workers endured for many years, while they still suffered a meager income as the nation’s economic crisis deepened.

The forum was organized by the Workers Alliance of Marikina (WAM) which was held Saturday in Marikina Heights, Marikina City, and was attended by a number of labor union officers and members.

Lawyer Ernesto Arellano outlined the fundamental meaning of the phrase “sovereignty resides in the People,” which expresses the idea of the general will and holds that ultimate authority in the hands of the people themselves.

Of the 48.18 million labor force, 44.90 million are members of the working class, and their sheer numbers are a powerful structural factor in fostering unity and grouping the organization, starting with the formation of their chapters at the barangay level.

To represent the interests of the working class, Arellano suggested that an association be formed in 42,000 barangays. Break into the class’s strong desire until it grows more united, particularly during elections, so that the labor sector will soon hold permanent control of the government.

Citing a religious group that, despite making up a very small portion of the population, organizes rallies to try to influence the government and bring their flock together for peace.

When the vast majority of the working class, which actively contributes to the production that sustains the country’s economy, band together, this becomes even more evident, Arellano pointed out.

Espiritu pointed out that the few elitist candidates, including traditional politicians, are still pushing the opulent and prevalent practice of providing entertainment and financial support, bringing singers and other entertainment professionals with them.

Since the Trapos cannot communicate directly with the public, this strategy of persuading the voters is a form of deception. Their inability to articulate a practical way to alleviate or improve the plight of the impoverished is also revealed, Espiritu said.

Espiritu asserted that these Trapos lack the experience to articulate on stage the underlying causes of poverty in the basic sector and their incapacity to offer solutions to improve their dire situation. They are more adept at entertaining and bribing the masses, which is simply a form of deception in the voters’ minds.

Ferdie Gaite, a Bayan Muna Partlist candidate, urged voters to carefully consider and support their choices because the majority of political candidates are associated with traditional politicians or elitist families, which make up only 1% of the population, where resources are concentrated in the hands of a small elite, while the majority remains marginalized.

The Trapos are proud of holding onto power. This is a phony life. The working class, which makes up the majority, should be represented by the nation’s leader. The working class should decide the welfare of the people.