The Biggest May Day Mobilization in Decades

May 1, 2012, Philippines -- NAGKAISA! (UNITED!). Tens of thousands of workers demonstrated against labor contractualization as traditionally right-wing unions such as the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) joined forces with the progressive unions such as the BMP, APL and MAKABAYAN for the first time in, and inspiring show of working class unity and solidarity. The mood was high and the marchers were noisy as chants and cheers went up continuously through the various workers contingent, non-stop during the march. There were workers from various enterprises that were never seen on previous May Day marches of the left, as the TUCP mobilized its forces. A popular chant was "The Workers United Will Never Be Defeated", which was taken up in what seemed like a never-ending cry at Mendiola, near the Presidential Palace.

PLM sends its congratulations to the labor leaders who have patiently negotiated and created this unity over the past few months, and who have demonstrated to everyone a sense of the tremendous power of the organized working class in the Philippines, despite being ravaged by onslaught of neoliberal dictates of previous and the current Noynoy Aquino regime. According to initial reports from the organizers, NAGKAISA! surpassed it's original target of 20,000. Also congratulations to the labor affiliates of PLM, the BMP (Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino) and the PMT (Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Transportasyon) and the chapters of PLM for also going well over their initial target of mobilized forces.#

Partido Lakas ng Masa held its founding congress last January 30, 2009. The Congress was attended by more than 1,000 leaders representing various sectors, national organizations and formations in the country. The constitution and by-laws of the party was adopted in the Congress. Likewise, its first Party Chairperson and Party Council were elected during the founding Congress.

Around 10,000 workers and urban poor marched on May Day under the banner of Partido Lakas ng Masa and its allied mass organizations Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Kongreso sa Pagkakaisa ng Maralitang Lungsod, Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Transportasyon, Aniban ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura, Makabayan Pilipinas, Sanlakas, Kalayaan, Metro Manila Vendors Association and Samahang Demokratikong Kabataan. The slogans "Stop Retrenchments! Decent Work for All!" and "Capitalism is a Pestilence! Socialism for Change!" echoed throughout the streets of Manila.

In November 30, 2009, with 5,000 activists, Partido Lakas ng Masa was publicly launched during the commemoration of Bonifacio Day. Its tri-color flag, which was used by General Gregorio del Pilar during the revolution against Spain and against the entry of US colonialist forces, dotted the streets and the “Pagbabago! Sosyalismo!” slogan reverberated though out the marching route in Manila during that day.