Today, on Human Rights Day 2025, we remember the 74 trade union leaders killed from 2016 to 2023 — each victim a stark reminder of the violences committed by state forces against workers who practice their right to organization. We must say the quiet part out loud: not a single one of the murdered trade unionists have received justice. Not one.

Promises of accountability remain empty. The Executive Secretary pledged to re-open the case of Manny Asuncion, but until now, nothing has been done. This is a glaring reminder that the state continues to fail workers and human rights defenders.
Meanwhile, the NTF-ELCAC continues to operate, undermining union rights, red-tagging activists, and forcing workers to join unions aligned with its agenda. Workers are being coerced, threatened, and silenced while the very institutions meant to protect them condone the abuse. This system of abuse must end.

Our economic rights are ignored, a clear indicator that workers are also victims of indirect violences on top of the killings and red-tagging. Wages remain low and unlivable, contractualization is rampant, and poverty is at record levels. Many workers, though not recognized, continue to slave as forced labor. For example, those in the commercial fishing industry who return from months or years at sea with zero income. The constitutional right to security of tenure is a hollow promise as millions remain in precarious work.
Human rights are not only about freedom from violence. It is also the upholding of our dignity, security, and the ability to live and work with justice.

On this day, we call on the government to:
– Deliver justice for slain trade union leaders, starting with Manny Asuncion;
– Abolish practices that violate workers’ rights;
– End coercion, red-tagging, and attacks on unions;
– Guarantee living wages, security of tenure, and decent work for all;
– Immediately dismantle NTF-ELCAC, which has become a tool for repression, not peace;
– Protect all workers from forced labor, ensuring decent conditions and pay for the most vulnerable sectors, including commercial fishing.

Workers’ rights are human rights. Justice delayed is justice denied. No more killings. No more impunity. No more exploitation. End NTF-ELCAC.

Our remembrance fuels our resistance. We demand justice.

This is a welcome move — long overdue, but still worth applauding. Prioritizing the anti-dynasty bill, party-list reform, and stronger accountability laws sends the right signal. Finally, we’re seeing talk of political reform.

But talk isn’t enough. If the President is serious about change, then it’s time to confront the long-standing injustices hitting Filipino workers every single day.

What about ending contractualization once and for all?
What about raising wages and fixing a wage-setting system that keeps families in permanent struggle?
What about bringing down electricity rates that are among the highest in Asia?
Where’s the plan for dignified, public, and affordable transportation?

Political reform is good, but not enough. If Mr. Marcos thinks that these overtures are enough to survive the current crisis of government, then he is gravely mistaken.
Workers need economic justice now.

Mr. President, workers have waited long enough. Now is the time to deliver.

It’s high time to recognize and protect the millions of Filipinos working on digital platforms — riders, VAs, freelancers, and all kinds of gig workers. This bill is based on consultations and captures the key demands raised by delivery riders and other platform workers: clear rights, fair contracts, and real protection.

The Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) welcomes the Protektadong Online Workers, Employees, Riders, at Raketera (POWERR) Bill, otherwise known as HB 6572, as a major step towards dignified and decent work in the online economy. With regular employee status, social protection, transparent algorithms, skills development, and a clear option to remain an independent contractor — work becomes fairer and more secure.

We strongly support the Protektadong Online Workers, Employees, Riders, at Raketera (POWERR) Bill. It’s a win for workers, for the industry, and for the country.

For our lawmakers — this is your moment to do what is right. The POWERR Bill is a concrete step toward protecting millions of Filipinos who keep the digital economy running.

For platform companies — you must recognize that it is unacceptable to earn billions while those who create that value carry all the risk and yet gain so little of the reward. Fairness and protection are non-negotiable.

For digital workers – you are the drivers of success behind the digital economy, and you have every right to the rewards of your labor. When you stand for the POWERR Bill, you will likewise stand for your rights to fair and secure employment.
For the public — as consumers, we all benefit when the people who deliver our food, medicines, goods, and safely transport our loved ones are treated with dignity, kept safe, and fully protected.

This is the time to choose justice, fairness, and decent work for all platform workers.

Step up, Mr. President. The nation is in crisis — and we need action now.

Looking at our country now, it is clear that the dream of Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan remains far out of reach. As Filipinos continue to struggle under soaring prices, stagnant wages, and worsening quality of life, the ongoing corruption scandals are a stark reminder that the people’s suffering is directly tied to the systematic plunder of our coffers.

What the investigations show is not just the moral bankruptcy and opportunism of our ruling elites, it shows that we do have money to pay for the needs and wants of Filipinos —— the politicians are just robbing us!

The anomaly with the flood control projects is the same story of corruption that denies us enough classrooms, decent hospitals, and adequate social services. Clearly, the Filipino people is tired of our broken system. We demand change. The question now is, what will you do Mr. President? Will you spend the last half of your presidency to push for the reforms urgently needed by the people? Or will you try to desperately cling on to the old privileges that have run this country to the ground?

Unfortunately for President Marcos, the only option for his sinking ship is for him to demonstrate leadership. At this moment, this means exercising his powers to institute the necessary policies that will put an end to corruption and address the needs of the people. The Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) and Labor Education and Research Network (LEARN), together with the other social movements, people’s organizations, civil society groups, and the hundreds of thousands of ordinary citizens under the Trillion Peso March Movement (TPM) demand:

– That the Marcos administration certify as urgent the Anti-Political Dynasty Law
– Strengthen the powers of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) to ensure that all thieves and plunderers are held accountable
– Genuine transparency and public participation in the Congressional budget process through legislation and other necessary policies;

These are just the start of what we need to overhaul Philippine society. Just as urgent are the long suppressed systematic reforms demanded by the social movements. We need to address the cost-of-living crisis through:

– A substantial national wage hike
– Putting and end to contractualization or ENDO
– Lower the cost of electricity
– Increase funding for social housing and provide immediate housing to families displaced by the recent spate of natural disasters

The dream of liberty from poverty and ignorance that drove Filipinos to revolution in 1896 is an unfinished fight. The question before Marcos Jr. now is how does he want to be remembered? That will depend on whether or not he will be brave enough to step up and deliver for the Filipino people.

What now, Mr. President? The people demand an answer.