Press Release
May 1, 2010

LABOR TO GET BETTER DEAL UNDER AQUINO-ROXAS ADMIN--ROXAS

Liberal Party vice presidential bet Senator Mar Roxas today joined the nation in paying tribute to the country's millions of workers, as he pledged an Aquino-Roxas administration would ensure better living conditions for Filipino laborers and their families.

Roxas gave the pledge and his standard bearer, LP Senator and survey frontrunner Benigno S. Aquino III, received the support for their candidacy for the presidency and the vice-presidency from major labor groups that composed the Workers for Aquino-Roxas (WAR) composed of six labor unions such as the Philippine Association of Free Labor Unions (PAFLU), Alliance of Filipino Workers (AFW), Union of Filipino Workers (UFW), Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS), Workers Welfare Watch-Philippines (WWW-PH), Ladies Garments Textile Workers Welfare Association (GATWEL) and the National Labor Union (NLU). More labor groups are expected to pledge support for the two LP bets.

"We are united in celebration of this day of remembrance and tribute to the Filipino laborer: The hardships that you willingly go through for your families; the sweat which signifies your hopes of lifting yourselves from poverty; and your contribution to nation building," Roxas said in a message on Labor Day.

Roxas said he shares the workers' dream of a better life for their families and promised this would be his and Aquino's prime objective if they win in the May 10 elections.

He stressed that under an Aquino-Roxas administration, the government would make sure that its policy towards labor would be centered on putting all Filipino workers on equal footing with their foreign counterparts and guaranteeing job opportunity and security for all Filipinos who want work.

He said he would rely on his extensive experience as secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, congressman from Capiz and as Senator in pushing improvements and in protecting the welfare of Filipino laborers.

Roxas noted that the labor sector had been top of the list of sectors he intervened for when he was a lawmaker, like in the enactment into law of the Tax Exemption for Minimum Wage Earners Law that he pushed to ensure those who earn only minimum wage will keep their hard-earned money in their pockets; passage of the Cheaper Medicines Law after almost 19 years of hard lobbying in both chambers of Congress to ease the burden of medicine prices especially among workers; and various laws and projects that supported the development of micro, small, and medium scale enterprises throughout the country.

"But the fight is not yet over," Roxas said. "We will prevail by sifting through the lies, and holding on to the truth; by taking the straight path that will bring us bounty, peace, and hope. We have never let each other down, and onwards we will continue to fight as comrades-in-arms. Let us not let this chance pass us by," he added. (Mar Roxas' Labor Day message in full attached)

 

A Message from Mar Roxas
to the Filipino Laborer
May 1, 2010

We are united in celebration of this day of remembrance and tribute to the Filipino laborer: The hardships that you willingly go through for your families; the sweat which signifies your hopes of lifting yourselves from poverty; and your contribution to nation-building.

We have fought beside each other for so long, and we have had our share of triumphs. Through the Tax Exemption for Minimum Wage Earners Law, we have put your hard-earned money back into your pockets. The Cheaper Medicines Law has eased the burden of medicine prices whenever there is an illness in the family. Through the many laws and projects that support Micro-, Small-, at Medium-scale Enterprises, your numbers have grown as we have created more jobs for the Filipino.

But the fight is not yet over. Our dream is for a nation that recognizes the dignity and worth of the worker. A nation where no laborer will be marginalized by the rich and the powerful. Where your welfare--the welfare of the people--is put front and center.

This dream can be realized as we unite to achieve the people's victory this coming elections. We will prevail by sifting through the lies, and holding on to the truth; by taking the straight path that will bring us bounty, peace, and hope.

We have never let each other down, and onwards we will continue to fight as comrades-in-arms. Let us not let this chance pass us by.

A happy Labor Day to all. Mabuhay ang manggagawang Pilipino! Mabuhay ang bayang Pilipinas!

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