MANILA – Militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) urged workers to continue pressing for accountability as the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte formally commenced before the Senate impeachment court.

In a statement, KMU said its members joined protest actions outside the Senate alongside groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and Bantay Impeachment to demand that Duterte be held accountable.

“Mga kapwa manggagawa, huwag nating kalimutan na ang tinangay ni Sara Duterte na buwis ay galing sa ating arawang pagsusumikap. Dapat itong inilaan sa pagpapaaral sa ating mga anak at sa pampublikong serbisyo,” KMU Chairperson Jerome Adonis said.

“Bunga ng ating pagkilos ang pag-usad ng impeachment ni Sara Duterte. Ipagpatuloy pa natin ang ating protesta hanggang tanggalin sa pwesto, at panagutin si Sara Duterte sa kanyang kasalanan sa taumbayan,” he added.

The labor group said it does not believe the Marcos administration alone will ensure accountability, arguing that previous corruption cases involving high-ranking officials were addressed through sustained public action.

“Hindi dapat natin ipagkatiwala nang buo sa Senado na isisiwalat nito ang lawak at lalim ng korapsyon. Sumandig tayo sa ating lakas upang singilin at panagutin ang lahat ng kurakot. Tayo, ang mga manggagawa at taumbayan, ang hahatol at magpapanagot sa mga buwaya sa gubyerno,” Adonis said.

KMU also accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of involvement in corruption and the alleged flood control scandal, claiming that confidential and intelligence funds, congressional allocations, and infrastructure budgets expanded under his administration.

“Bongbong, pang Wimbledon ang husay mo sa pambobola. Hindi pwedeng magmalinis ang pinakamarumi sa lahat pagdating sa korapsyon. Totoo nga namang hindi na raket sa’yo ang korapsyon – kabuhayan mo na ‘yon, doon ka pinalaki,” Adonis said.

The group called on workers to participate in weekly protest actions throughout the impeachment proceedings, monitor developments in the trial, and treat their unions and organizations as anti-corruption platforms.

“Kung sa loob ng unyon hindi tayo pumpayag sa korapsyon, higit lalo pa sa mga nasa pusisyon! Sama-sama nating itakwil ang mga magnanakaw at sindikato sa pamahalaan – una na sina Bongbong Marcos at Sara Duterte!” Adonis said.

KMU also encouraged workers and the public to join this year’s “SONA ng Bayan” protest to press the government to address demands for social services, economic relief, justice, and accountability.