Our Left and Duterte

To hold Duterte accountable for the killings is not inconsistent with working with him, as sector representatives, to improve the lot of workers -- provided that Duterte does not demand the silencing of mass organizations' critical voices in return for listening to their demands. And even if the lives of workers somehow do improve under this administration, the workers will mostly have themselves to thank, never Duterte. If Duterte does fold, it will only be because of the increasing pressure from a group that government has failed for decades.

But working within the administration and being responsible for the general implementation of its programs, while still calling oneself Leftist, is a different matter entirely. How can you be critical of the very government of which you are a part -- of a government, in fact, whose central policy is diametrically opposed to the values you are supposed to hold?

Ipanalo ang laban sa endo!
Papanagutin si Duterte sa mga pagpatay!
Ilantad ang lumalalang pasismo!
Palitan ang sistemang pang-ekonomya ng bansa at ng mundo!

REPOST: Workers win prohibition on endo and contractualization after dialogue with PDU30

PRESS STATEMENT
Nagkaisa Labor Coalition
28 Feb 2017
Workers win prohibition on endo and contractualization after dialogue with PDU30
After decades of consistent struggle against the epidemic of contractualization, workers may finally get their demand for its total prohibition, at least at the level of the Office of the President.
This chance became clearer when the President, after a three-hour dialogue with labor leaders Monday evening, demonstrated empathy and understanding for the plight of Filipino workers by reiterating his position that he is not going to renege on his promise to end contractualization both in the private and public sector.
"Ayoko itong agency agency... walang agency agency hiring. Kawawa ang worker sa ganito,” declared President Duterte during the meeting as he directed Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to come out with a Department Order that will meet the objective of restoring the norm of regular jobs through direct hiring.
DOLE was also instructed to resolve the 2011 PAL-PALEA dispute on outsourcing the soonest time possible.
Furthermore, the President indicated that he was inclined to honor the request of labor to certify HB 4444 of Rep. Raymond Mendoza (TUCP Partylist) as an urgent administration measure.
The President pointed out that contractualization only enriches the employer but keeps the workers poor and unable to plan a better life for the future. He also added that many agencies are also owned by the employers and are just a legal camouflage to prevent the regularization of workers and to defeat the workers 'exercise of their rights under the Constitution.
The dialogue ended months of speculation in the business community that the President may only be after agencies that were practicing endo (the hiring of workers only for five months) as he categorically stated that his policy extends fully to ending contractualization through middlemen or manpower agencies.
More than a third of total workforce employed in establishments employing 20 workers and above is considered ‘non-regular’, according to the latest survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The number would rise significantly had the survey covered firms employing 20 workers and below as they comprise more than 90% of registered business establishments.
Now the DOLE was instructed to play hardball and a major challenge is posed upon Congress as well. Will DOLE officials and members of Congress who, during the past several months, were pushing for the compromise position (win-win) being proposed by the DTI and employers’ groups finally toe the line of the President?
We therefore urge our fellow workers to remain vigilant to make sure that government bodies under instruction to comply with our demands do not stray out of line. This recent advance in our struggle for decent work confirms the power of unions and organized resistance in winning the battle against anti-labor policies.
Hundreds of Nagkaisa members kept vigil and lit candles at the foot of Mendiola while their leaders meet the President last night. A day of action by women workers will also be held on March 6 and 8.
The President also made several other commitments that we need to press forward, including our proposals to review and make changes to the old regime of wage setting; the signing of ILO Convention 151 for the public sector; representation in tripartite bodies; deputization of labor leaders as inspectors; and the holding of regular dialogues with labor, including meeting with the striking transport workers.
It ain’t over until it’s over. Workers have a world to win. The struggle goes on. ###

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1345029102238415&id=421413561266645

Block Marcos: A growing, promising force in the Philippine Left

To hold Rodrigo Duterte accountable or not. To name the current social system as the main reason for the suffering of the mass of Filipinos or not. These are the main contradictions begging for a resolution within today's Leftist movements.

Block Marcos has come up with an answer. Rodrigo Duterte, who represents the elites of a Philippine capitalist society that benefits only them, is accountable for the rising tide of political persecution and killings especially toward the poorest members of the population in the country.

The group views Duterte as a threat of a looming dictatorship and authoritarianism.

Block Marcos is among the groups most critical against Duterte openly -- and one many of whose members identify as Leftists. They are, of course, a minority on this side of the spectrum, and will need all of our attention and support.

The group's members comes from various sectors, including the workers, students, human rights activists and mass organizations.

Hopefully Block Marcos continues to provide a venue for a much needed rejuvenation of radical politics in the country.

Duterte to meet with labor groups on February 27

Duterte to meet with labor groups on February 27

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III says the signing of the department order requiring agencies or contractors to regularize workers will be deferred until after the meeting

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte granted the labor sector's longtime request to have a dialogue with him regarding his promise of ending contractualization.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Duterte will meet with the labor groups on February 27.
Bello expressed optimism that this meeting could finally lead to a compromise between employers and workers in crafting the policy of ending contractualization. (READ: No 'endo' in 2017? Challenge of ending labor contractualization)
Ending the decades-long "endo" (end of contract) practice is among the most popular campaign promises of the President.
As early as January this year, labor coalition Nagkaisa urged Duterte to meet with them so that they can air their concerns about the direction being taken by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
The groups under Nagkaisa oppose DOLE's plan to sign a department order (DO) that will require the agencies or contractors – instead of main employers – to regularize their workers. The anticipated DO will replace DO-18, which provides the rules on contracting that have been abused by some manpower agencies.
Labor Undersecretary Dominador Say earlier said Bello is eyeing to sign the DO on Tuesday, February 14, to serve as a Valentine's gift to labor groups. But upon the confirmation of the dialogue with the President, Bello said the DO will be deferred until after February 27 to consolidate feedback from the stakeholders. – Rappler.com

http://www.rappler.com/nation/161356-duterte-labor-groups-meeting-february

Anti-Marcos mobilization on February 25, 2017

Philippine Left publication: Ang Masa by PLM

The socialist Partido Lakas ng Masa just released a recent publication here. The paper can be downloaded here. Ric Reyes writes about the death of land reform in the last article.

Partido ng Manggagawa challenges Walden Bello's 'fascist' reading of Duterte

PM was responding to the article "Rodrigo Duterte: A Fascist Original" by Walden Bello in the Rappler. PM's full post is here.

The question of whether Duterte is a "fascist" or not is obviously significant to Leftist strategy. And, well, it appears to prevent those within the Left unable to challenge Duterte head to head from being called "Duterte lovers." Certainly, until very recently, the Communist Party would hesitate to give Duterte that assessment. But things are changing rapidly.