In celebration of this year's International Working Women's Day (IWWD), various progressive formations with multi-sectoral women groups along with the community of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) held a nationwide protest to amplify the calls for the abolishment of charter change (Cha-cha) frontend under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration, March 8.
The assembly of progressive groups was headed by one of the nation's sectoral advocates for women and children's rights, Gabriela Women’s Party in Vicente Cruz St., España, Manila.
Together with its 40th anniversary, Gabriela Secretary-General Clarice Palce opened the program by clamoring about the delinquent experience of women in the country whilst charter change is being pushed under Marcos Jr.'s administration.
“Nandirito pa rin po tayo at sama-samang tumitindig para sa ating kabuhayan, lupa ng magsasaka, at iba pang demokratikong karapatan ng mga kababaihan at mamamayan,” she stated.
With recent incidents regarding the circulation of the so-called “people’s initiative” across the country pushing to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution, progressive groups strongly believe that some politicians propagated it with their agenda.
The program was followed by sectoral speakers from Migrante, Gabriela NCR, PISTON, Amihan, KADAMAY, and other formations, intensifying their opposition to charter change and emphasizing genuine solutions to the country's cyclical problems such as genuine land reform, wage hike, education, human rights, and sovereignty.
“Kaisa ang babaeng maralita na bibiguin at hindi papayagan na maisabatas ang Cha-cha ng iilan. Sama-sama tayong iindak para kalabanin ang mga mapaminsalang probisyon ng gobyerno na lalo pang magpapahirap sa sambayanang Pilipino,” said KADAMAY member Mimi Domingo in a statement.
The PUP community also participated in the nationwide rally, rattling calls on issues currently faced by the university such as the National Polytechnic University (NPU) Bill, budget cuts, student repression, and other education-related issues.
Student councils from colleges along with different chapters from Anakbayan, SAMASA, and League of Filipino Students (LFS) chanted their opposition against Cha-cha and the need to prioritize education as well as academic freedom.
A purple sea of people was seen during the march of sectoral formations along España Boulevard en route to Mendiola Peace Arch to end the program. However, in the middle of the militant chants, tension arose when police mobiles obstructed the road in Morayta.
Women-fronted organizations did not stop noising out their calls for IWWD, while the program continued along Morayta with other speakers and cultural performances.
“Walang sinuman ang nagmamay-ari sa atin kung kaya’t wala ring sinuman ang may karapatan na ibenta ang militanteng paglaban. Muli’t muli natin aangkinin hindi lang ang lansangan kundi ang mundo—kasama ang masang pinagsasamantalahan sa pagpapataob ng mga mapagsamantalang naghaharing uri sa lipunan,” Daniela Riego, Anakbayan PUP College of Communication chairperson explained.
Meanwhile, the program also had several performances from cultural organizations from different regions as they spotlight women’s struggles in the country.
It ended with a unification dance by sectoral groups with a call for the agenda of women in the country as well as the abolishment of charter change.
Article: Jacob Baluyot
Graphics: Ronalyn Hermosa
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