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'No steady income': Ka Leody was fired as factory worker before becoming a labor leader

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Jervis Manahan, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Presidential aspirant and labor group leader Ka Leody De Guzman leads a protest rally near the Mendiola bridge in Manila, in commemoration of Bonifacio Day on November 30, 2021. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/news/01/25/20211130-bonifacio-day-laban-ng-masa-jc-014719531.jpg"/><figcaption>Presidential aspirant and labor group leader Ka Leody De Guzman leads a protest rally near the Mendiola bridge in Manila, in commemoration of Bonifacio Day on November 30, 2021. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — Partido Lakas ng Masa presidential aspirant Leody de Guzman revealed Tuesday he was once a factory worker in a garments company but was fired, before becoming a full-time labor leader.</p><p>De Guzman said he did not have a steady income of his own for 34 years.</p><p>&quot;Wala akong sweldo tuwing a-kinse. Wala akong swedo tuwing katapusan. Wala akong 13th month,&quot; he said in the Facts First podcast.</p><p>(I don&#x27;t have a salary every 15th of the month. I don&#x27;t have a salary every last day of the month. I don&#x27;t have a 13th month pay.)</p><p>De Guzman said he was fired after leading a protest inside his company against the &quot;per-piece policy&quot;, wherein garment laborers were paid per piece that they produce.</p><p>&quot;Sa tingin namin, dinadaya kami kasi doble ang production, pero dagdag-sweldo, kapiranggot lang.&quot;</p><p>(We think we are being tricked, because the production is double but our additional payment is too small.)</p><p>Since then, he said he devoted his time to becoming a full-time labor leader.</p><p>Asked where he gets his funds for his daily activities, De Guzman said his wife has been working in a bank, and that they have a small business wherein they sew curtains, bed sheets, and pillowcases.</p><p>He added that his three children are all now working. &quot;Yung pamilya ko na ang bumubuhay sa akin.&quot;</p><p>(My family sustains my life.)</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/23/22/ka-leody-denies-he-is-living-a-comfortable-life">&#x27;Pamilya kami ng manggagawa&#x27;: Leody De Guzman denies living a &#x27;comfortable life&#x27;</a></li></ul><p>Asked about his net worth, De Guzman estimated it to be more or less at P1 million, mostly owing it to properties of his wife.</p><p>De Guzman earlier addressed rumors that he is living a very comfortable life, seemingly inconsistent with his image as someone representing the downtrodden. </p><p>In a Facebook live stream, the labor leader said that his family are all from the labor force, and they all worked hard for what they have right now. </p><p>De Guzman drew flak for a photo showing him with his family and a purebred dog in an apparently comfortable home.</p><p>He clarified that his pet corgi is just a gift, and denied allegations that he is selling the fight of workers.</p><p>Partido Lakas ng Masa vice-presidential aspirant Walden Bello defended his running mate, saying workers deserve to have a decent life. </p><p>&quot;A Christmas photo in a comfortable setting subjects Leody De Guzman&#x27;s family to online abuse by those who think they should be living in a hovel. What an ugly display of middle-class prejudice. Working people deserve respect,&quot; Bello said in a series of tweets.</p><p>Sociologist Herbert Docena, a vocal supporter of De Guzman, explained that people should realize that an activist&#x27;s life is hard, and support from their families is vital so they can pursue their advocacies. </p><div><strong>—with report from Josiah Antonio, ABS-CBN News</strong></div><div><strong> RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1813561" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

Partido Lakas ng Masa presidential aspirant Leody de Guzman revealed Tuesday he was once a factory worker in a garments company but was fired, before becoming a full-time labor leader.

'No steady income': Ka Leody was fired as factory worker before becoming a labor leader

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'No steady income': Ka Leody was fired as factory worker before becoming a labor leader

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 25, 2022 08:43 PM PHT

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Halalan 2022

2022 elections

Leody de Guzman

Partido Lakas ng Masa

labor leader

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