Makabayan endorses 2 labor-wing advocates to complete slate in 2019 polls

QUEZON CITY (UPDATE) - The Makabayan coalition on Wednesday endorsed labor advocates Leody De Guzman and Sonny Matula for the 2019 senatorial elections at a gathering here.

Both De Guzman and Matula are pushing for the end of contractualization, labor abuses and other pressing problems in the labor sector. They are also part of the LABOR WIN Coalition senatorial slate.

Makabayan bloc president Satur Ocampo believes the track record of De Guzman, president of Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, and Matula, a lawyer and president of the Federation of Free Workers, will serve as the "representation" of the labor sector for the coalition.

“Subok na (sila) sa pagtatanggol at panggigiit ng karapatan ng mga manggagawa,” he said.

(They have proven themselves in defending and asserting rights of laborers.)

In a speech, Matula said he and De Guzman would bat for the passage of a standard national minimum wage and to completely end the practice of contractualization if elected.

"Ang mga isyu ay nakabatay sa pangangailangan ng ating mga mamamamayan... Ipinaglalaban natin ang regular na trabaho sa loob po at sa labas ng lansangan... [at] kasama natin ang mga kasapi ng Makabayan," he said.

(These issues are based on what the people need. We will fight for regular jobs... we have members of Makabayan with us.)

They said they would also push for an "independent and pro-people" Senate.

Makabayan previously said it would be backing 1 or 2 more candidates after naming 9 other bets last March 3.

Makabayan earlier endorsed the candidacies of opposition Otso Diretso bets Sen. Benigno "Bam" Aquino, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, former lawmaker Erin Tañada, Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc, and former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay.

Reelectionist Senators Grace Poe and Nancy Binay, and former Sen. Serge Osmeña also secured the left-leaning coalition's backing.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Ocampo said De Guzman and Matula were chosen as labor is one of the "basic elements" for the coalition's cause and for their commitment to improve the labor sector.

He added that the the two candidates would complete Makabayan's slate for the 2019 senatorial polls.