In nationwide Bonifacio Day rallies, workers called for an end to contractualization (endo), political dynasties, and low wages, alongside a PHP 150 wage hike and the passage of the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy (PAP) bill.
“All we want for Christmas are an end to endo jobs and political dynasties, a PHP 150 wage hike, and the enactment of the PAP bill,” said Judy Miranda, secretary-general of Partido Manggagawa (PM).
Amid political friction between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, PM emphasized its neutrality. “The House of Labor does not support the House of Polvoron or the House of Fentanyl, both of which prioritize political power. The House of Labor demands social justice and social change,” Miranda stated.
Members of PM joined the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition’s mobilization in Manila, assembling at Ramon Magsaysay High School in España before marching to Mendiola for a rally that lasted until noon.
PM also organized rallies in Cebu City and Bacolod City. In Cebu, workers marched around the city and held a program at Metro Gaisano on Colon Street. In Bacolod, farmworkers and women’s groups affiliated with PM held an indoor gathering followed by a march to the public plaza.
The nationwide rallies centered on ending contractualization, raising wages, curbing political dynasties, and addressing teenage pregnancy. “Political dynasties are a major factor in mass poverty and economic underdevelopment. The 2025 elections could see the evolution of fat dynasties into obese ones and the capture of the party-list system by power-hungry trapos. I-endo ang dynasties ng mga trapo hindi ang trabaho!” Miranda said.
Miranda argued that if Andrés Bonifacio were alive today, he would lead a new Katipunan to fight political dynasties for true independence and development.
She criticized Congress for neglecting the PHP 150 wage hike bill while focusing on Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war and Sara Duterte’s confidential funds. “We demand accountability for Digong’s alleged killings during the drug war and Inday Sara’s misuse of public funds. However, Congress’s inaction on workers’ reforms reflects factional infighting, not governance,” she added.
The rallies also underscored the need to pass the PAP bill, which recently cleared the House of Representatives. Miranda urged the Senate to act quickly, saying, “Let’s ensure the youth can enjoy the holidays without the burden of teenage pregnancy.”
