IN LINE with the 28th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, a forum entitled “Ang Boses ng mga Boss: Pagdiriwang ng People Power Ngayon 2014” was held in the Social Development Conference Hall on February 24.
The event, organized by the Christian Union for Socialist and Democratic Advancement (Crusada) in cooperation with the Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB), aimed to review several social-political issues and events in the past year.
These include the following: The Aurora-Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport (Apeco), Typhoon Yolanda, the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (Palea) and the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (Carper).
The forum speakers were the following: SLB Executive Director Javy Alpasa, SJ, Palea Vice President Alnem Pretencio, Pinag-isang Lakas ng mga Samahan sa Casiguran Aurora (Piglasca) President Vicente Convicto, Casiguran, Aurora residents Remy Gutierrez and Marlon Angara, Typhoon Yolanda survivor Imelda Ruiz and Paragos-Pilipinas and Save Agrarian Reform Alliance (Sara) member Elvie Baladad.
The speakers discussed the influence of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution on their causes.
“Narito tayo ngayon hindi lang upang gunitain ang araw ng EDSA Revolution. Narito tayo ngayon upang tandaan na ang mga kaganapan sa EDSA ay unang hakbang pa lamang para sa mga naaapi (We are here today not only to commemorate the EDSA Revolution. We are here today to remember that the EDSA Revolution is only the first step for the marginalized to achieve justice),” said Crusada member Abbo Hernandez in his opening remarks.
EDSA People Power Revolution, also known as EDSA I, was a four-day peaceful protest in 1986 against the dictatorship of former President Ferdinand Marcos.
Palea against outsourcing
Similar to what happened during EDSA I, Pretencia said that Palea members won their battle because of solidarity.
On November 13, 2013, Palea and Philippine Airlines, Incorporated (PAL) signed a settlement agreement which concluded the struggle of Palea members against the outsourcing plan laid out by PAL.
The said plan terminated 2,600 PAL employees but had them rehired by other companies such as Sky Logistics, Sky Kitchen and SPi Global. However, the employees’ salaries were decreased by half.
Moreover, PAL, under the new management of San Miguel Corporation President Ramon Ang, allowed 600 employees to be re-hired as regular workers.
Pretencio said that Palea will continue fighting against other social issues, including advocating for the passage into law of House Bill Number 2348 or the “Security of Tenure” bill.
The bill will allow workers who have rendered 10 years of efficient service to a company to achieve regular employee status.
Continuous battle of the Casiguran people
During the forum, Piglasca President Convicto and Casiguran residents Gutierrez and Angara narrated the Casiguran natives’ struggle against Apeco. The plight of the Casiguranins has been continuing for the past seven years.
Gutierrez said that Filipinos continue to be aware of the issue not only through the unity among the Casiguran communities but also through the support from groups such as the Ateneo and SLB.
He mentioned the “smallest” triumphs of the anti-Apeco movement, the Casiguranins’ dialogue with President Benigno Aquino III in 2012.
Angara said those who lead the anti-Apeco movement in Manila sacrifice their livelihood in Casiguran.
Convicto added that the leaders of the cause have been receiving death threats. “Subalit sa kabila nito kami ay hindi natakot at tumayo pa rin po sa laban (However, we are not afraid and we still stand up to fight).”
Taking part
During the forum, Sara member Baladad presented footage of the Mendiola Massacre, which occurred on January 22, 1987, a year after EDSA I.
13 farmers were killed after clamoring for the agrarian reform promised to them during late President Cory Aquino’s term.
Meanwhile, Alpasa said that it is only right to present the complete footage of the Mendiola Massacre to disturb the “comfortable” life of the Ateneans.
Alpasa also said, “‘Wag nating kalimutan na ang Pilipinas ay para sa bawat isang Pilipino, hindi lang para sa mga nakaluklok… Ipaalala natin lagi sa kanila na kaya naman sila naluklok ay dahil din sa atin. Tayo talaga yung boss (Let us never forget that the Philippines is for every Filipino. Let us remind our government officials that we elected them. We are the real bosses).”
