The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), the country’s largest labor center, calls for placing the country and the welfare of Filipinos front and center in everything elected leaders do amid the political noise and threats of assassinations and political instability.
The TUCP urges the leaders to be circumspect and refrain from undermining our democracy, rule of law, and political stability as these will drive away much-needed investments and deprive Filipinos of more and better jobs.
“Political adventurism endangers not just the President but the stability of our nation. Vitriolic rhetoric has far-reaching implications in our effort to address poverty and grow our economy. The issue to us is simple accounting for the Filipino taxpayers and to the many who have been at a loss regarding where to source the next meal for their family. To resort to punitive actions without giving much thought to its repercussions is not only irresponsible but selfish.
Today, the Philippines is on the cusp of building back better, reaffirming our human rights obligations, and positioning itself as a global force for trade and sovereignty. But to truly soar into the future, we must first seek accountability, ensure justice, and uphold the rule of law because no business will set up shop in a country where uncertainty lingers and further escalates due to brazen self-serving politicking and widespread impunity. Only then can we build a lasting foundation of integrity that cultivates the trust of our people and our fellow citizens of the world.
We call on all our leaders to act as grown-ups and end this counterproductive political noise and zarzuela that will only hold back the Philippines when each and every Filipino already wants to move forward. Let us unite behind our duly-elected leaders and buckle down to work on tackling the urgent challenges of poverty wages, hunger, food insecurity, and joblessness if we are to build a more prosperous and equitable ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ founded in accountability, democracy, and the rule of law.
