Labor rights activist Leodegario "Ka Leody" de Guzman urged voters to choose leaders from various sectors of society, as they are the ones who truly grasp the challenges faced by ordinary citizens, in a move to reshape the country’s voting framework.
"Subukan naman natin ang mga manggagawa, ang mga lider ng sektor, lider ng magsasaka, lider ng mga mangingisda, kababaihan, na habang panahon hindi lang tuwing halalan lumalaban," de Guzman said during the Bakit Ikaw: The DZRH Job Interview on Monday.
"Bagong pulitika po – pulitika ng masa, hindi pulitika ng mga trapo at dinastiya," he added.
He pointed out that several candidates in the 2025 midterm elections are only seeking a return to the Senate, despite having achieved little during their prior time in office.
De Guzman remarked that the challenges faced by workers have remained unresolved since some Senators took office, and even as they aim for re-election, they have not introduced laws to solve these problems, with the concerns of the wealthy being the only ones addressed.
"Hindi nila magawa [tanggalin ang contractualization] dahil ang mga sikat na pulitikong madalas na manalo sa eleksyon, ang mga nasa likod niyan mga big business o kung hindi man ‘yung mismong paniniwala nila ay pabor sila sa malalaking negosyante. Kaya di nila pwedeng kalabanin," de Guzman explained.
Addressing the challenges faced by Filipino workers in the country
The senatorial aspirant reiterated the need to increase workers' wages, pointing out that current wages are still far too low, even though the Senate has agreed to raise them.
He added that it's a positive step that they are now acknowledging the need for a nationwide wage increase.
Moreover, he mentioned that an immediate solution is for the government to implement a public employment program, such as hiring workers for various projects to create more job opportunities.
In addition to this, he emphasized that teachers should also be hired, along with non-teaching personnel. He urged the government to increase hiring, noting the significant gap in government employment.
"Ang unemployment ay isang tuloy-tuloy na problema ‘yan. Dahil everytime na uunlad ang ating teknolohiya, hindi na nangangailangan ng dagdag na trabaho dahil binabawasan pa ang ating trabaho," said de Guzman.
"Hindi mapipigilan ang unemployment kung hindi magkakaroon ng pagbabago sa patakaran ng pamahalaan," he added.
He proposed that working hours for workers be reduced without any decrease in salary or benefits, to create more opportunities for the unemployed to secure jobs in the country.
Solutions to mitigate the impact of rising commodity prices
Meanwhile, de Guzman emphasized that the reason solutions to the ongoing rise in commodity prices are not being implemented is that many Senators are allies of large business tycoons.
"Ang problema natin kaya hindi mapatupad ‘yan ay dahil karamihan doon sa mga Senador natin ay puro kakampi nga ng mga malalaking negosyante kaya ayaw nila mabawasan ang presyo, magagalit ang kaibigan nila," De Guzman stated.
"Kaya kami ni Atty. Luke Espiritu, talagang itutulak namin na magkaroon ng price cut doon sa mga basic lalo na ang bigas," he added.
Furthermore, he argued that the best solution would be to bring essential services, such as electricity and water, back under government control.
Possible legislation for housewives and farmers in the country
De Guzman mentioned that they have a proposal to support stay-at-home mothers who care for their children and spouses working outside the home. The proposal includes providing government allowances, recognizing that they are an integral part of the workforce's productivity.
In terms of farmers in the country, De Guzman emphasized that the government's policies need to be revised.
He called for a clear roadmap on how to develop the country’s agricultural sector, pointing out that it is unacceptable for an agricultural nation with nearly 100% of its land suitable for farming to be importing rice.
"Ang kailangan natin ay dagdagan ng budget ang ating mga magsasaka, kung kayang triplehin, para magkaroon tayo ng food sovereignty. Nang sa ganon, ano man ang mangyari sa mundo, magkaroon man ng giyera, magkaroon man ng pandemya, sigurado ang pagkain natin," he added.
Another concrete step he mentioned was the repeal of the Rice Tarrification Law, which allowed large businesses to import unlimited amounts of rice. He argued that this policy harms local farmers by devaluing the rice they produce.
Ensuring better aid and benefits for senior citizens
"Hindi ako nangangako dahil iyan ay laban ko at kahilingan noon pa, kahit walang eleksyon ‘yan po ang aming kahilingan kasama ang mga senior citizens," said de Guzman.
He noted that if he becomes a Senator, he will investigate why the benefits intended for senior citizens in the country are being reduced in some areas.
Furthermore, he stressed that senior citizens should automatically receive their benefits, as this is the government's support for them after dedicating their time to serving the country as workers.
De Guzman is running for Senate under the Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM). He previously ran for president in the 2022 Philippine presidential elections.
He currently serves as the chairperson of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, a socialist federation of militant labor unions.
