KMU launches online protest vs rising fuel prices

MANILA, Philippines — Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno yesterday launched an online protest against the soaring prices of fuel products including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Dubbed “Crybaby Selfie Challenge against Oil Price Hike,” the online protest was conceptualized after Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno called on the public to be “less of a crybaby” over rising fuel and LPG prices. 

KMU condemned Diokno’s statement, saying it is a “grand display of insensitivity, irresponsibility and arrogance” to the burdened and poor Filipino workers and people.

“Secretary Diokno is consistent in undermining and insulting us. We cannot forget how he insulted the Filipino workers in his statements during the Labor Day observance last month, in response to the workers’ demands for a wage hike,” said KMU Metro Manila chair Ed Cubelo.

He said Diokno claimed that “workers would not go hungry if they would only work hard.”

Cubelo said Diokno’s statement showed his absolute disregard for the plight of the working class.

Under the campaign, the KMU encouraged the public to post on social media their ‘selfies’ denouncing the fuel price increase.

Cubelo said netizens should hold a “fansign” indicating their opposition to the rising fuel prices due primarily to the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.

He urged the public to challenge their friends to do the same by tagging them on the photographs. 

The online and offline protests will continue as long as the Duterte government refuses to junk the TRAIN law and stop the rising cost of fuel, basic commodities and services, and enacting a national minimum wage, Cubelo said.