Workers converge at Monumento

Overshadowed by the assault and dispersal of forces loyal to former President Joseph Estrada in Mendiola, traditionally militant labor groups held peaceful gatherings at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City and Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City to mark Labor Day yesterday.

Some 500 members of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralitang Lungsod, Sanlakas, Partido ng Manggagawang Pilipino assembled as early as 10:00 a.m. at the monument dedicated to Andres Bonifacio, the hero of the masses.

Militant labor groups like the Kilusang Mayo Uno spared the Arroyo government from their usual criticism and instead focused their attacks on Estrada.

Bayan Muna opted to use Labor Day to campaign and push for its agenda for the party-list race in May. KMU chairman and Bayan Muna party-list nominee Crispin Beltran said they decided to join the party-list elections so that they can truly fight for the cause of workers in Congress.

He claimed there has never been any genuine congressional representation of Filipino workers despite the fact that they comprise majority of the country’s population.

"The collective strength that workers show during their concerted actions – from strikes to street demonstrations – will be expressed and taken to Congress. We will be the parliamentary mouthpiece of the working people," Beltran said.

Following a short program in Welcome Rotonda, labor groups proceeded to the Our Lady of EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City to attend a Mass celebrated by Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin. – Nikko Dizon, Mayen Jaymalin, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Marichu Villanueva