On Bonifacio Day, Marcos honors hero’s sacrifice as groups urge him to end workers’ woes

MANILA, Philippines – As the Philippines commemorated the 161st birth anniversary of Filipino revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio on Saturday, November 30, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. encouraged Filipinos to remember the legacy of his sacrifice, while progressive groups called on his government to fix the various ills that Bonifacio would have fought against if he were alive today.

“Today, we honor the life and heroism of the Supremo of the Katipunan and Hero of the Masses, who organized and inspired his fellow Filipinos to rise against tyranny and break the chains of oppression,” said Marcos, whose father once led an almost a decade-long Martial Law rife with human rights abuses.

Marcos briefly told Bonifacio’s life story — starting from humble beginnings, towards realizing his dreams and goals for the country. With this courage, he said, Bonifacio lit the flames of the Philippine Revolution, uniting the country and emboldening many to sacrifice their lives to fight against the Spanish colonizers.

“As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, let us remember the legacy of sacrifice that he and our forebears have demonstrated. We owe them a debt of gratitude for awakening our nationalist consciousness, upholding our sense of identity, and rousing our spirit of self-determination,” he said.

Marcos said Bonifacio’s fight has outlived him. “Let us honor his memory by finding a deeper meaning in his sacrifice and doing our part in liberating our country from the shackles of hunger, corruption, criminality, and other ills of society,” he said.

Put Filipinos first

To mark Bonifacio Day, progressive groups held protests in various parts of the country, demanding accountability from the government amid the current political and economic instability in the country.

“If Bonifacio were alive today, he would lead the Katipunan in a fight to end political dynasties as a pathway for true independence and real development,” said Partido Manggagawa secretary general Judy Miranda.

Miranda pointed to Marcos’ inaction on the legislated wage increase bills seeking an across-the-board minimum wage increase of at least P100, while putting a spotlight on former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs and Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged misuse of government funds.

“Of course, we want Digong to be held accountable for the murder of alleged drug users and Inday Sara for her plunder of people’s money. But we know that Congress is motivated by factional infighting, not good governance. And that is why Congress is deadma (nonchalant) to proposed reforms favorable to workers,” Miranda said.

This year’s Bonifacio Day celebration coincides with the biggest rift yet between the top executives of the country, who once ran on a platform of unity when they were elected in 2022.

In the House of Representatives led by presidential cousin Speaker Martin Romualdez, Rodrigo and Sara Duterte have been summoned to investigations questioning the alleged abuses of government power under their watch. The Vice President is under investigation for her threat to have Marcos, Romualdez, and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos killed if she is assassinated first, which she has clarified.

While criticizing the Dutertes and highlighting the need for accountability, Kilusang Mayo Uno secretary general Jerome Adonis said that Marcos, as chief executive, should be held accountable himself.

“Hindi ligtas si BBM sa paniningil dahil siya ang kasalukuyang pinuno ng bulok ang sistema ng gobyerno na pinamumugaran ng mga buwaya at buwitre na tinuturing na negosyo ang pamamahala. Interes ng malalaking dayuhan at lokal na negosyo ang inuuna kasunod ang mga pansariling interes at wala sa hinagap nila ang maglingkod sa bayan,” he said.

(BBM [Bongbong Marcos] should be held accountable because he is the current head of a rotten government system that is infested with crocodiles and vultures who consider the government a business. The interests of big foreign and local businesses come first, followed by personal interests, and they have no intention of serving the people.)

While Marcos honored Bonifacio for organizing the people, Adonis pointed out how his government is also responsible for continued attacks on workers and unionists, especially through the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, which was created during Duterte’s term. The NTF-ELCAC gained notoriety in linking activists and progressive groups with the communist insurgency, putting their lives at risk of surveillance and harassment.

The Philippines has been on the International Trade Union Confederation’s list of 10 worst countries for workers for eight consecutive years, owing mostly to a crackdown on workers’ freedom to associate.

Laborers’ continued call

The workers’ groups also used commemorated Bonifacio Day with calls for reforms for issues that have long plagued the sector.

In Metro Manila, the protesters demanded the setting of the minimum wage based on family living wages nationwide – around P1,200 daily for the private sector, and P33,000 monthly for the public sector. They also called on lowering the prices of goods, job security, and freedom of association.

“Buhay ang diwa ni Gat Andres sa manggagawang Pilipino kaya’t pinamumunuan namin ngayong ika-161 taon ng kanyang kaarawan ang pagkilos ng mamamayan sa buong bansa para sa kagyat na ginhawa para sa mamamayan at para panagutin ang ang mga abusado at kawatan,” said Adonis.

(The spirit of Gat Andres lives on in the Filipino worker, which is why we, on this 161st anniversary of his birth, are leading the people’s movement across the country for immediate relief for the people and to hold the abusers and thieves accountable.) – Rappler.com