TUCP threatens groups misusing its name

MANILA, Philippines - Don’t use the name of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) in vain.

TUCP president Democrito Mendoza yesterday threatened to sue other trade unions that may try to use the name of the country’s largest labor group for any unauthorized activities.         

Mendoza said he would not hesitate to use the full force of the law against any group that would be found guilty of misusing the TUCP’s name.

The TUCP leadership said they have received information that people identified with ousted TUCP general secretary Ernesto Herrera have called for a convention and election in San Juan.

TUCP assistant general secretary Herman Nicdao said the group has not called for any meeting, convention or election.

“There are certain procedures to be observed in major meetings such as general or special conventions. If indeed, former Senator Herrera wants to legally become TUCP president, he should submit himself to an election wherein the majority of the TUCP executive board issues an order for its conduct, standing members and affiliate federations are notified, the Department of Labor and Employment is made to observe, and most important, the voting delegates, proportionate to the number of members, are properly represented,” he added.

Nicdao said Herrera does not have the number to surreptitiously conduct elections and proclaim themselves as president and officers of TUCP.

Last March 7, TUCP unanimously ousted Herrera and two affiliate organizations, the Alyansa ng Manggagawang Pilipinong Organisado and the Philippine Federation of Labor, for committing acts inimical to the interest of the TUCP.

“Therefore, former Senator Herrera can no longer validly represent himself as TUCP, in whatever capacity. This is precisely because he was already expelled,” Nicdao said.

He said any regular member under the TUCP’s umbrella would be sanctioned should they participate in any non-TUCP authorized activity.

Herrera’s group, Nicdao said, apparently called for a meeting and election after Malacañang formalized the appointment of Rosalinda Manabat, a nominee recommended by Mendoza as representative to the National Anti-Poverty Commission.

Nicdao said Herrera recommended a different individual and even wrote a letter to President Aquino to express his disappointment over the latter’s decision to honor Mendoza’s candidate.

As this developed, Herrera condemned what he said was an illegal action, including the alleged black propaganda undertaken by Mendoza.

He said Mendoza has already resigned and thus all of his actions after that are illegal.

“He has no authority to call for any TUCP-related meeting, including the election of a new general secretary and other positions in TUCP,” he added.